172 questions and answers in this section

History and Culture » Mythologies and Legends

Explain why the Greek gods were often in conflict despite their immortality.

Explain why the Greek gods were often in conflict despite their immortality.

The Greek gods each had their own strong personality and individual ambitions. Zeus, for example, was authoritarian and loved to have control over everyone, which...

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Explain why has the legend of the Grail endured through the centuries?

Explain why has the legend of the Grail endured through the centuries?

Since the dawn of time, humans have chased after what they do not understand. Everything related to immortality and mystery attracts like a magnet, and...

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Explain why the Grail was so coveted in Arthurian tales?

Explain why the Grail was so coveted in Arthurian tales?

The Grail appears in the 12th century in medieval tales, notably in the works of Chrétien de Troyes. Its precise origin is not clear at...

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Explain why the Inuits tell stories about the Trickster.

Explain why the Inuits tell stories about the Trickster.

Among the Inuit, the Trickster, often represented in the form of a cunning animal like the raven, plays a central role in the culture. This...

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Explain why dragons are creatures universally feared.

Explain why dragons are creatures universally feared.

Dragons often represent a cataclysmic force, capable of causing enormous devastation just by sneezing a bit too hard. Breathing fire, their breath can reduce entire...

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Explain why the ancient Greeks used a different alphabet for writing their religious texts.

Explain why the ancient Greeks used a different alphabet for writing their religious texts.

The ancient Greeks sometimes used a special alphabet to write religious texts, different from the one used in everyday life. This choice stemmed from a...

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Explain why the Greek god Pan was associated with the wild nature.

Explain why the Greek god Pan was associated with the wild nature.

Pan was born in a Greek society focused on agriculture and livestock farming. Originally, he was mainly venerated by shepherds and people living in remote...

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Explain why fairy tales are often cruel and dark at their origins.

Explain why fairy tales are often cruel and dark at their origins.

The tales of the Brothers Grimm and those of Perrault were born in Europe during difficult times, when famine, wars, and diseases were common. Life...

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Explain why rain dance is a historical practice in many cultures?

Explain why rain dance is a historical practice in many cultures?

The rain dance dates back to the early days of human communities when water often determined survival or famine. Among the Native American tribes of...

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Explain why the gods of Olympus were associated with the natural elements?

Explain why the gods of Olympus were associated with the natural elements?

In Greek mythology, the gods of Olympus each had a special connection with nature and its elements. Zeus, for example, was the patron of the...

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