Myths and Narratives

Water has long been revered as having essential significance in many folklores around Bilad Al Sham. .As a result, Inhabitants has always compared themselves to various natural elements and has also alluded to water in terms of human conduct. In 'Myths and Narratives'  We are going to discuss the impact of Eastern Mediterranean Folklore on the collective consciousness of its dwellers.

-Fiction and Actuality in Landscape Histories.  - © 2023 Joelle Deeb (CC BY-NC 4.0)


The course of the Orontes River changed gradually through the times, and as a consequence, the knowledge of ancient landscapes is blurred.

Strabo states that the Orontes river formerly flowed underground for a while. However, owing to geological circumstances, it later reemerged. As for his discussion of legends and fables, Strabo referenced an Aramaean myth that claimed Typhon, a lightning-struck creature who fled underground and cut the earth that formed the river's bed and eventually triggered the release to the surface and therefore influenced the formation of landscapes.

And here, we inquire how much influence folklore and storytelling have on our perception of our surroundings. 


To what extent does mythology contribute to how we interpret native landscapes?



Bronzes et objets précieux, room 32: salle des Bronzes. Sully, 1st floor.

This work is part of the collections of the Louvre (Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities).


THE PERSONIFICATION OF THE ORONTES
Greek Legend describes Orontes as the brother of Tigris, Eupharates, and Nile and the offspring of Okeanos (the god of the oceans) and Tethys (the god of the springs).Drakon, Thyphon, and Ophites are some of the Greek titles for the Asi River during this time period. The first two are dragons (Drakon) and a tempest (Thyphon), which are both unstable and potentially hazardous..


Irrigation Using A Water-Wheel Line Engraving 19th Century Rolled Canvas Art - (18 x 24)

THE DEITY'S CALLING



The sounds produced by the friction of the wheel during rotation are associated with groaning, crying, and praying. The rotation of the wheel itself is metaphorically linked to the passage of time, the movement of the universe, the rotation of the earth, the turning of the wheel of fate, and the recurrence of memories and thoughts. Water wheels are also associated with beautiful women or water nymphs (naure), or with a weeping wood. The sound of water mills is compared to "groaning" in one of Islam's philosophical texts, the Sufi writings, as suffering from being apart from God.

This work is part of the collections of the Louvre (Griechische, etruskische und römische Abteilung). 

THE STORY OF THE GIANT

Whenever the old river bed dried, a tomb with 11 cubit (5,5 m approx..) and a human skeleton with the same size emerged. Antiochians decided to consult to an Apollon wise in Klaros and the wise said that the skeleton belongs to the God of Orontes and he is from Indian blood.” (İbn Battûta 2004, C.1/101-102; quoted in Jones, 2000, 476-477). The statue of Giant Orontes is displayed at Louvre Museum.

TYCHE AND THE CITY OF ANITOCH- URBAN REPRESENTATION

A tomb measuring 11 cubit (5,5 m) or so and a human body measuring the same size appeared whenever the ancient river channel dried. The Antiochians made the decision to counsel an Apollon wise in Klaros, who informed them that the bone belonged to the God of Orontes and that he was of Indian ancestry. (cited in Jones, 2000, 476-477; bn Battûta 2004, C.1/101-102). The Louvre Museum is home to the Giant Orontes monument.

God of the Orontes river supporting Tyche of Antioch  (photo courtesy of VRoma)