Reading assignment

- Read the “Introduction” (pp. 2-6) to Part 1 (“So It Begun: Cosmogonies and 

Theogonies”) of 

Gods, Heroes, and Monsters

, in order to review

what kinds of creation 

narratives we have and what are their main characteristics and differences.

- 

In the first half, write your own (original) creation narrative, which can focus on 

cosmogony (creation of the cosmos), theogony (creation and succession of gods), or 

anthropogony (creation of humans), or all of the above. Your narrative has to be original: 

it can contain elements that are present in ancient stories but cannot be a copy of any one 

of them. You can write it in the form of a prose narrative or in verse or as a song, 

however you choose.

- In the second half, explain what kind of decision making went into your writing. You 

may consider, for instance, whether you went for a monotheistic or polytheistic world; 

how you imagined that the world/gods/humans came about; whether you were using any 

particular text or tradition as a point of reference; or if your own beliefs or experiences 

affected how you wrote your creation story – or any other relevant questions.

- Citations/References: make sure to cite (i.e., reference) two or more ancient works (e.g., 

“... I was inspired by the creation narrative in Hesiod’s 

Theogony, GHM 1.5”). NO SEPARTE REFERENCE SHEET needed.

- 500-600 words needed