by ejceasar
Myth and Mythologies. Myths can be classified as origin myths, cultural myths and political myths and mythology is a collection of myths belong to a time period, region or religion
A flood myth also known as deluge myth is a narrative in which great flood, usually sent by a deity or deities to destroy civilizations as an act of divine retribution. Flood myths are common across a wide range of cultures, extending back to Bronze Age and Neolithic prehistory.
Every mythology has its own version of creation myths, or other wise commonly known as how the world came in to existence. In Egyptian Mythology, the creation myth starts with an egg in the ocean. There was a single egg floating in the ocean and the egg hatched and the son of Ra was born. According to the Indian Mythology, the universe was created by Lord Brahma out of himself.
The idea of an unimaginable war that threatens to tear apart the cosmos connects with us so deeply that it still powers our epic stories. The Lord of the Rings, Avengers, Hobbits, and countless others all feature this age-old trope. It can be found in the legends of almost every ancient culture.
We all know the myth of Atlantis: a utopian city wiped out in a single night thanks to an unearthly cataclysm. But Atlantis is only the most famous of mythical lost cities. Near-identical stories crop up with such regularity that it’s tempting to think they must be somehow related.Take Iram (also known as Ubar). A fabled city in the deserts of modern Saudi Arabia, Iram is said to have been wiped out in a single night when Allah buried it under a flood of sand. In other words, it’s the Atlantis myth translated to a world without water. Then you have Ys off the coast of France, which was supposedly flooded around the 5th century by a mythical warrior king. And that’s before we get onto the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and the Hindu myth of Tripura, which both involve gods wiping out immoral cities in a rain of fire.In short, the idea of a city obliterated overnight is so powerful it seems to show up everywhere. Are these half-remembered tragedies with some basis in fact (like Pompeii) or just stories that play to the apocalyptic fantasist in all of us? We’ll leave it to you to decide.
Jesus’s resurrection is the big selling point of Christianity, a unique moment that established Christ as the one true savior. At least that’s the idea. In reality, the idea of a dying deity or important human who is later resurrected has been around for millennia.Most famously, this includes the story of Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god whose birth was heralded by a star, who was betrayed by a friend, was murdered, and was later resurrected. But there are less explicit versions too. The Greek cult of Dionysus had their figurehead killed off every two years, only to rise again at a later date. Persephone also died regularly, and many pagan traditions from Scandinavia to Central America involved gods dying and returning to life or men dying and coming back as deities.Perhaps most interestingly of all, a historical tablet known as “Gabriel’s Revelation” allegedly tells the story of a Jewish rebel known as Simon who was killed by the Romans, only to be resurrected three days later. The catch? It was written in 4 BC, over 30 years before Jesus allegedly pulled off the same trick. Either it’s a mistranslation, or the Son of God was building on centuries of groundwork by other deities.
Dragons are likely the most traveled creature in all of mythology. Even more than vampires, they have a habit of turning up in societies and cultures so far apart in time and space you’d think it was impossible. There are ancient Sumerian tablets that record the act of dragon-slaying, Greek tales of dragons cavorting with other monsters, and an entire science built around the uses of their bones in China. In Central America, the Mayans worshipped the feathered snake Quetzalcóatl, while both Norse and Christian mythologies specifically mention dragons.As late as 1886, Victorian scientists still held that dragons had once existed but had gone extinct. Not until dinosaurs became firmly established in the public mind did people see the probable link between ancient fossils and dragon myths. Currently, our best guess is that various cultures all stumbled over dino bones at some point and translated them into gigantic mythological beasts.
Thanks to the occasional self-indulgent movie adaptation, most of us probably have a vague knowledge of the poems of Homer. Considered the earliest examples of Western literature, his Iliad and Odyssey are epic myths of tortured heroes fighting their way across oceans and continents in search of metaphorical salvation—and they appear in near-identical form in almost every culture.It’s called the “hero’s journey,” and just about all epic stories throughout history have followed the specific model. Famously, George Lucas deliberately based the first Star Wars on it, and you can find its influence in The Lord of the Rings, the Oz books, and even Harry Potter. But this archetypal myth was around even before fancy-pants anthropologists handed it over to lazy scriptwriters.The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, the story of Sinbad the Sailor in the 1,001 Nights, the legend of King Arthur, the tale of the Argonauts . . . all of these and plenty more fit the structure of the hero’s journey just like Homer’s awesome poems above. In fact, nearly every single culture in recorded history has myths that fall into this category. Even Moses’s epic wanderings in the Bible fit this model. We as a species truly are lazy storytellers.
Cultural myths don’t just entertain us and record historical events. They also serve to explain why the world is the way it is. Hence the prevalence of stories designed to give a reason for some mystery of existence.In the Bible, we have the Tower of Babel, which explains why we have different languages. God’s speech prior to expelling Adam and Eve from Eden is another example, giving a reason for both the agony of childbirth and why ancient man had to toil all day in the fields. Wander across traditions into the stories of the Ancient Greeks and the legend of Prometheus demonstrates why fire is so valuable, while the story of Pandora gives a reason for the existence of disease and suffering.Start looking for them and you’ll find these explanatory myths scattered across every culture in history. There are myths that explain why rhinoceroses have no hairs, why incest is forbidden, and how medicine came into existence. Anything you can think of has some poetic explanation somewhere. In an unscientific age, poetry was often all we had.
Everything that begins has an end, and our ancient ancestors knew that as simply as we do. No surprise then that most cultures carry an End of Times myth to counter their creation story—a sort of consolation prize for those who won’t live to see the actual end (i.e. everyone).For Christians, this apocalypse is a gigantic epic that plays out over many, many years and involves so many disasters, wars, and calamities that it’s hard to keep track. Same with the Norse Ragnarok, which is a collection of disasters and battles that results in the Earth being drowned and recreated afresh. In Hinduism, it’s another epic battle followed by a rebooted universe, while Buddhism annihilates the world in a pyrotechnic fireworks display so amazing it deserves its own Michael Bay film.In other words, most humans throughout history have lived with their own personal vision of the end of everything, one that makes sense in the context of their lives and cultures. And that’s all these myths really are: ways for us humans to make sense of the world we live in, no matter when or where we are. It’s just an added bonus that some of them make absolutely awesome stories, too.
Learn a few fun facts
The red clothes worn by Hindu brides are associated with "scarlet women" in Christianity
The white clothes that represent virginity and purity in the Christian mythosphere are associated with spirituality and otherworldliness in the Hindu mythosphere; are restricted to monks, priests, and widows; and do not form part of household rituals.
The goat, the symbol of virility that is sacrificed to the Hindu Goddess, is the symbol of the devil in the biblical worldview.
The yoginis of Hinduism, who are handmaidens of the Goddess and are wild erotic creatures, recall the witches coven of the Christian mythosphere.
The pentagram is the symbol of Lakshmi, Hindu goddess of wealth, and Shukra, guru of demons, and is associated with Venus, wealth, fertility, creativity, and erotic power in Hindu astrology, but is considered the mark of the devil in Christianity.
'described in Western literature as the "dark drinker of blood" and is associated with witchcraft.
The serpent, which is associated with earth's fertility and occult wisdom in Hinduism, is considered a manifestation of the devil in biblical traditions.
To the Western eye the swastika is the symbol of Hitler and the Holocaust. To Hindus it is associated with auspiciousness and fertility.
Demon in Judeo-Christian-Islamic Paradigm is Evil being who opposes God but in Hindu Paradigm Demon is a Being who lives under-ground in bejeweled cities, fights gods, and possess the secret of rejuvenation
Gods in Judeo-Christian-Islamic Paradigm False deities worshipped by nonbelievers and pagans whereas in Hindu Paradigm Celestial beings who live above ground or in the skies, fight demons, and have consumed the elixir of immortality
The Greek gods live in a cloud palace on Mount Olympus
Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices.
Famous Myths of Greek Mythology
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The myth of the Titans
The Titans were the gods that preceded the Olympians, they were the children of the primordial deities Uranus and Gaia. The Titans were overthrown by Zeus and the Olympians in a ten-year war called the Titanomachy.
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The myth of the Olympians
The Olympians were the principal gods of the Greek pantheon, who lived on Mount Olympus. The most famous Olympians were Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, Dionysus, and Hestia.
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The myth of the Minotaur
The Minotaur was a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull, that was kept in the Labyrinth, a maze built by Daedalus for King Minos of Crete. The Minotaur was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus.
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The myth of the Labors of Hercules
Hercules, also known as Heracles, was a demigod who performed twelve impossible tasks, known as the Labors of Hercules, as atonement for killing his family. These tasks included slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Erymanthian Boar, and cleaning the Augean Stables.
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The myth of the Argonauts
The Argonauts were a band of heroes who sailed with Jason on the ship Argo to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which was guarded by a dragon. The Argonauts included heroes such as Heracles, Orpheus, and Castor and Pollux.
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The myth of the Trojan War
The Trojan War was a legendary war fought between the city of Troy and the Greeks. It was said to have been sparked by the abduction of Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, by the Trojan prince Paris.
Greek Mythology Heritage Tree
This heritage tree represents some of the key figures in Greek mythology, particularly the Olympian gods and their ancestors.
- Titan Cronus
- Zeus
- Athena
- Apollo
- Artemis
- Hermes
- Persephone (with Demeter)
- Dionysus
- Hera
- Hephaestus
- Ares
- Hebe
- Poseidon
- Triton
- Polyphemus
- Hades
- Zeus
Some say that Kaaba was built by the angels.
Religion in pre-Islamic Arabia was a mix of polytheism, Christianity, Judaism, and Iranian religions. Arab polytheism, the dominant form of religion in pre-Islamic Arabia, was based on veneration of deities and other rituals.
Famous Myths of Arabian Mythology
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The myth of djinn
The djinn are supernatural spirits in Arabian mythology that can be good or evil, they are often associated with fire and can take human form.
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The myth of Al-Khidr
Al-Khidr is a mysterious figure in Islamic mythology, also known as the "Green Man." He is believed to have knowledge of all things and is often associated with water and the afterlife.
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The myth of Harut and Marut
Harut and Marut were two angels in Islamic mythology who were sent to Earth to test the faith of the people. They were tempted by the devil and ultimately fell from grace.
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The myth of Iblis
Iblis is the Islamic equivalent of Satan. He was once an angel, but was cast out of heaven for his pride and refusal to bow to Adam.
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The myth of the seven sleepers
The seven sleepers is a story from Islamic tradition about seven young men who sought refuge in a cave to escape persecution. They fell asleep and awoke years later, to find that the world had changed.
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The myth of Solomon
Solomon is a prophet in Islamic and Jewish mythology, who is known for his wisdom and power. He is said to have had control over the djinn, birds, and the wind.
Inuit mythology is the traditional belief system of the Inuit people
Inuit Mythology
Inuit mythology is the traditional belief system of the Inuit people, who live in the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Inuit mythology:
The story of Sedna
Sedna is the goddess of the sea and marine animals in Inuit mythology. She is known for her role as the provider of food and is often invoked to ensure a good hunt.
The story of the Raven
The Raven is a powerful trickster figure in Inuit mythology and is known for his intelligence and cunning. He is often depicted as the creator of the world and is considered a bringer of culture and wisdom to the Inuit people.
The story of the Inuit ancestor
The Inuit ancestor is the first human being created by the god, Raven. This figure is considered as the first ancestor of the Inuit people, and his children are considered as the founders of different Inuit tribes and clans.
The story of the spirits
Inuit mythology is rich with different kind of spirits, such as animal spirits, ancestor spirits, and nature spirits, who are believed to have great power and influence over the natural world.
The story of the shamans
In Inuit mythology, shamans are considered as powerful intermediaries between the human and the spiritual world. They are known for their ability to communicate with spirits and to heal the sick through their spiritual powers.
These myths, along with others, are used by the Inuit people to explain the origins of their people and their customs, and to reinforce their traditional beliefs and values. The Inuit traditional religion was based on animism, ancestor worship, and shamanism.
The Lozi people, who live in what is now Zambia, have a rich and diverse mythology
Lozi mythology gives legitimacy to the Lozi kingdom's foundations, by linking the monarchy and the people to a creator god, whom the Lozi call Nyambe.
The Lozi people, who live in what is now Zambia, have a rich and diverse mythology that reflects their culture and beliefs. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Lozi mythology:
The creation myth
The Lozi believe that the world was created by a god named Nyambe, who formed the earth, sky, and all living things. They also believe that Nyambe created the first man and woman, and gave them the task of populating the world.
The myth of the first fire
The Lozi believe that fire was brought to earth by a god named Mwali, who gave it to humans as a gift.
The myth of the first death
The Lozi believe that death was brought to the world by a god named Mwali, who punished humans for their disobedience.
The myth of the first rain
The Lozi believe that the first rain was brought to the world by a god named Mwali, who punished humans for their disobedience.
The myth of the afterlife
The Lozi believe that the souls of the dead go to the land of the ancestors, which is a place similar to the earth but more beautiful and peaceful. They also believe that the souls of the wicked go to a place of punishment.
The myth of the floods
The Lozi believe that the floods in the Barotse floodplain, where they live, are caused by the god Mwali's tears, which he shed when he was angry with people for their misdeeds.
Please note that this is just a small sample of the Lozi mythology stories, and there are many more myths and legends that are important to the Lozi people.
Akan mythology is the traditional belief system of the Akan people of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
Akan mythology is the traditional belief system of the Akan people of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Akan mythology:
The story of Nyame
Nyame is the supreme god in Akan mythology and is believed to be the creator of the universe. He is often depicted as an old man with a white beard and is associated with wisdom, justice and the sky.
The story of Onyame and Asase Ya
Onyame is the god of the sky and the father of all gods and Asase Ya is the goddess of the earth and the mother of all living things. Together they are the parents of the other gods and goddesses in the Akan pantheon.
The story of Anansi
Anansi is a trickster figure in Akan mythology and is known for his cunning and wit. He is often depicted as a spider and is considered a bringer of wisdom and culture to the Akan people.
The story of Odomankoma
Odomankoma is the god of fate and destiny, who controls the fate of individuals, and also the god of wisdom, who is responsible for the knowledge and skills of the Akan people.
The story of Osrane
Osrane is the god of death and the afterlife. He is responsible for taking the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
These myths, along with others, are used by the Akan people to explain the origins of the world, the customs and traditions of the Akan people and to reinforce their traditional beliefs and values. The Akan people's traditional religion is based on ancestor worship, and the belief in a supreme being who created the universe.
Mythological legends and deities
Hittite-Mythology
Illuyankas is also associated with the sea in Hittite mythology, where he is depicted as a powerful deity controlling the waters.
Celtic-mythology
n contrast to the brooding aspects of Morrigan, Brigid, in pre-Christianity Ireland, was regarded as the Celtic goddess of healing, spring season, and even smithcraft. In the mythical narrative, she is the daughter of the Dagda and thus a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Curiously enough, in Lebor Gabála Ãrenn (The Book of the Taking of Ireland collection of poems compiled in the 11th century AD), she is mentioned to have a quite a few domesticated animals, ranging from oxen, the king of boars, to sheep – and these critters used to cry out as a warning to the goddess.
Greek-mythology
Butes, a Thracian, Boreas's son, who was hostile towards his stepbrother Lycurgus and was driven out of the country by him. He settled in the island of Strongyle (Naxos) with a bunch of men, and proceeded to attack those who sailed past the island.
hindu-mythology
Brahma is the creator god in Hinduism. He is also known as Svayambhu (self-born) or the creative aspect of Vishnu, Vāgīśa (Lord of Speech), and the creator of the four Vedas, one from each of his mouths. Brahma is consort of Saraswati and he is the father of Four Kumaras, Narada, Daksha, Marichi and many more.[3][4] Brahma is synonymous with the Vedic god Prajapati, he is also known as Vedanatha (god of Vedas), Gyaneshwar (god of Knowledge), Chaturmukha (having Four Faces) Svayambhu (self born), etc, as well as linked to Kama and Hiranyagarbha (the cosmic egg). He is more prominently mentioned in the post-Vedic Hindu epics and the mythologies in the Puranas. In the epics, he is conflated with Purusha. Although Brahma is part of the Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva Trimurti, ancient Hindu scriptures mention multiple other trinities of gods or goddesses which do not include Brahma
Slavic-mythology
A forest spirit in Slavic folklore who protects animals and forests, but can also lead travelers astray.
Greek-mythology
Aeneas was a Trojan hero in Greek mythology, son of the prince Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite. He is more extensively mentioned in Roman mythology, and is seen as an ancestor of Remus and Romulus, founders of Rome.
Celtic-mythology
Arguably the most visually impressive and rather portentous of ancient Celtic gods, Cernunnos is actually the conventional name given to the deity ‘Horned One’. As the horned god of Celtic polytheism, Cernunnos is often associated with animals, forests, fertility, and even wealth. His very depiction mirrors such attributes, with the conspicuous antlers of the stag on his head and the poetic epithets like the ‘Lord of the Wild Things’.
Greek-mythology
Hippothoon in Greek Mythology
Hippothoon was an Attic hero in Greek mythology, known for his distinguished lineage as the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Alope, daughter of King Cercyon.
Lineage and Background
As a son of Poseidon, Hippothoon had a divine heritage. His mother, Alope, was a mortal princess, making Hippothoon a demigod. The story of Alope, his mother, is one marked by tragedy and divine intervention, which ultimately led to the birth of Hippothoon.
The Tale of Hippothoon
The tale of Hippothoon's birth is interwoven with the story of his mother, Alope, who was seduced by Poseidon. Alope's father, King Cercyon, was enraged upon discovering her pregnancy and ordered the newborn baby to be exposed. The child was saved and nourished by a mare, which is sometimes said to have contributed to his name.
Significance in Attic Legend
Hippothoon's legacy is significant in Attic legend. He was considered an eponymous hero in the region of Attica, with the tribe Hippothoontis named after him. This reflects the ancient Greek practice of attributing tribal names to legendary heroes.
Hippothoon's story, while not as widely known as those of other demigods, is an example of the rich and diverse tapestry of characters that populate Greek mythology, each contributing to the cultural and legendary history of ancient Greece.
Greek-mythology
Cadmus was the founder and first king of Thebes in Greek mythology. He was the son of King Agenor and Queen Telephassa of the Phoenician city of Tyre, and brother of Phoenix, Cilix and Europa.
greek-mythology
In Greek mythology, Abderus or Abderos was a divine hero, reputed by some to be one of Heracles' lovers (eromenoi), and reputedly a son of Hermes by some accounts, and eponym of Abdera, Thrace.
mesopotamian-mythology
Primordial goddess of the salt sea, symbolizing chaos and creation. Fought against Marduk in the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation myth.
Norse-mythology
Gibica (also known as Gjúki, Giuki, or Gibicho) is a figure from Norse mythology, prominently featured in the Völsunga saga and in the Nibelungenlied, a Middle High German epic poem. In these sagas, he is portrayed as a king and the father of a significant family. In the Völsunga saga, a key source of Norse myth and legend, Gibica is known as Gjúki. He is the husband of Grimhild and the father of Gunnar (or Günther), Högni, Gudrun (Kriemhild in the Nibelungenlied), and Guttorm. His family, the Gjúkings, play a central role in the later parts of the saga, which intertwine with the legend of Sigurd (or Siegfried) – the dragon-slayer hero central to both Norse and Germanic legend. Gunnar, one of Gibica/Gjúki's sons, is a particularly important character. He is known for his involvement with Sigurd and Brynhildr, a valkyrie, which forms one of the central and tragic narratives of the Völsunga saga and the Nibelungenlied. In these tales, Sigurd marries Gudrun, and Gunnar seeks to marry Brynhildr. The story is complex and involves deception, broken promises, and eventual tragedy, leading to the deaths of several main characters, including Sigurd and Brynhildr. In the Nibelungenlied, Gibich is the name used for the character, and the story follows a similar but not identical course to the Norse sagas. The Nibelungenlied is more centered on the character of Kriemhild (Gudrun in the Norse sagas) and her quest for revenge against those who betrayed her husband Siegfried. The character of Gibica/Gjúki/Gibich is thus an integral part of the background and context for these rich and complex legendary cycles that were incredibly influential in both Norse and Germanic literature and culture.
Movies inspired by Mythology
An Epic Journey of Adventure and Discovery
The warrior King Odysseus leaves his idyllic life in the kingdom of Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War. After winning the war, he now must endure a lengthy, ten-year journey to return, and with all his wits, Odysseus must overcome deadly monsters, powerful forces of nature, seductive enchantresses, and even journey into the bowels of the Underworld. Season: 1 Year: 1997
Storming to a New High in High Adventure !
Fred C. Dobbs and Bob Curtin, both down on their luck in Tampico, Mexico in 1925, meet up with a grizzled prospector named Howard and decide to join with him in search of gold in the wilds of central Mexico. Through enormous difficulties, they eventually succeed in finding gold, but bandits, the elements, and most especially greed threaten to turn their success into disaster. Written by Jim Beaver Two Americans searching for work in Mexico convince an old prospector to help them mine for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains.
New Continent. New Adventure. Still No Clue.
After retrieving the Crystal Skull in Utah, Flynn Carsen receives a map in the mail with the secret location of King Solomon's Mines. When the scroll is stolen, Judson explains the power of the Key of Solomon's book and assigns Flynn to retrieve the map. The map is useless without the legend piece to decipher it, which is located in Volubilis near the Roman ruins in Morocco. Flynn heads to Casablanca to the ruins where he is chased by a group of mercenaries leaded by General Samir. They too want to find the location of King Solomon's mines. Flynn teams-up with Professor Emily Davenport working in the dig and they escape from General Samir and his men. While traveling to Gedi, they save the local Jomo from death and the trio faces a dangerous journey through the wild Africa. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Librarian-turned-adventurer Flynn Carsen endeavors to find King Solomon's mines.
An Epic Tale of Love and Magic
Mayabazar (1957) is a classic Indian fantasy film directed by Kadiri Venkata Reddy. The film is based on the folk tale of Bhakta Prahlada and is set in the backdrop of a traditional village. It stars N.T. Rama Rao, A.N.R, Savitri, and S.V. Ranga Rao in the lead roles. The story revolves around Ghatotkacha (N.T. Rama Rao) and his father, King Hiranyakashyapu (S.V. Ranga Rao). Ghatotkacha, a demon son of the King, is in love with the princess of the Mayabazar (Savitri). However, the King wants his daughter to marry a human prince. Ghatotkacha's only hope is to obtain the magical parijat flower from Lord Vishnu, who is in disguise as a saint. With the help of Lord Vishnu, Ghatotkacha manages to save the princess and their love is eventually accepted by the King. The film is known for its iconic song "Koluvaiyunu Kalla Regindi" and its highly imaginative visual effects. It was one of the first South Indian films to use special effects and its innovative use of colour established it as a classic in Indian cinema.
An Epic Adventure of Mythic Proportions
A Persian sailor named Sinbad is on a quest to find the magical legendary Book of Peace, a mysterious artifact that Eris, the Greek wicked goddess of chaos, has ultimately framed him for stealing! If he fails on this quest, his childhood friend Prince Proteus of Syracuse will take Sindbad's death penalty, while Eris gains a desired foothold of power in the world of mortals. Written by Anthony Pereyra (hypersonic91yahoo.com) The sailor of legend is framed by the goddess Eris for the theft of the Book of Peace, and must travel to her realm at the end of the world to retrieve it and save the life of his childhood...
