Hi, can you guys help me think of any ancient mythology characters thatr sacrificed themselves for the greater good?
2006-09-28 04:00:29 · 7 answers · asked by 2 days after my B day :) 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
In greek mythology Prometheus sacrificed himself. He stole the secret of fire from gods and gave it to men. He was punished for that by Zeus.
In greek history, 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians made a stand and fought against millions of Persians in order to delay the Persian campaign against Greece. They choose to sacrifice their selves for the freedom of Greece.
2006-09-28 10:48:42 · answer #1 · answered by Spartan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The warrior god Tyr (Norse mythology) placed his hand in the Fenris-wolf's mouth when the wolf was bound (this was the wolf's term- to guarantee that the gods would untie him, he had one of them place their hand inside his mouth). Thereafter, Tyr was known as the One Handed God. Although this doesn't sound as drastic as Othin's sacrifice, it was done for a cause of much greater importance, as the Fenris-wolf was one of the three greatest threats to the world in Norse Mythology.
2006-09-28 11:45:48 · answer #2 · answered by Brian S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Odin (Norse) hung himself on the world tree, Yggdrasil, to gain understanding & wisdom ... but (crucially) didn't die.
The source goes on to say, "The name Yggdrasil, interpreted as "Odin's steed," is taken to refer to Odin's self-sacrifice"
Of course you don't have to die to make a self-sacrifice.
Prometheus (Ancient Greek, Î ÏομηθεÏÏ, "forethought") sacrificed himself to eternal torment to steal fire from the gods & bring it to humans, allegedly.
2006-09-28 11:03:12 · answer #3 · answered by echo c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Osiris died and resurrected for the greater good (I know he is Egyptian, but I think it's still useful!). Also, I believe that Mithras did as well, which is the primary deity (I understand) of the Hellenistic religion, which is Greek.
2006-09-28 11:13:05 · answer #4 · answered by Phoenix's Mommy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Antigone let herself be sentenced to death for an act committed to defend her dead brother's honor. She's one of the stronger female tragic heroes of Greek myth (and part of the Oedipus Cycle).
2006-09-28 11:09:53 · answer #5 · answered by Alyssie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Odin also gave one eye to drink from the Well of Knowledge.
2006-09-28 14:03:10 · answer #6 · answered by Dea7h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Socrates ?
2006-09-29 19:40:43 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋