Destruction of Leviathan by Gustave Dove, 1865
Chaoskampf is the name of a trope found in world mythology. The motif in its broadest definition covers any myth where a hero or heroic deity representing order slays a dragon or serpent that represents chaos. Myths that follow the trope in its biggest scope usually stem from the Proto Indo-European religion.
Origin[]
The original definition put forth by theologian Hermann Gunkel in the late nineteenth century was a myth where a storm god defeats a sea dragon or god who represents chaos with the act of creation happening afterwards. He had discovered this motif after comparing the Biblical story of Genesis I to the battle between Tiamat and Marduk in the Babylon Creation Epic, perceiving that both involved a battle that ended with creation/the world being formed. The motif has since been viewed differently in some respects by scholars, who put heavy importance on that the opponent the god faces must be a dragon.[1] A broader definition where any cultural deity slaying a dragon or serpent that represents chaos in myth has also taken form in modern times that has been used on the Internet, the motif also including mortal heroes.
History[]
The motif of a hero representing order slaying a serpent or dragon representing chaos and the broader serpent/dragon slaying motif as presented in Indo-European myths may have its roots in the cattle raiding myths prevalent across Indo-European mythologies. These myths usually feature a serpentine monster stealing cattle or something else valuable who is killed by a heroic warrior who subsequently retrieves the valuable possession. In these myths, it is evident that the serpentine monster is representative of the original inhabitants of land that was settled (if not conquered) by the Indo Europeans.[2]
Examples[]
The motif of Chaoskampf as thought of by scholars has to do with Near Eastern ideas. Scholars put emphasis on the act of creation in myths that seem to be a part of the trope, arguing whether the aspect in each myth truly falls under the motif.[1] Under the broader definition, the trope spans worldwide.
Examples from Mythology[]
Examples from mythology include
- Marduk slaying Tiamat in Babylonian Mythology
- The Hebrew God slaying the Leviathan in the Hebrew Bible
- Ra battling Apep in Egyptian Mythology
- Zeus slaying Typhon in Greek Mythology
- Thor slaying Jormungandr in Norse Mythology
- Susanoo slaying Yamata-no-Orochi in Japanese Mythology
- Perun slaying Veles in Slavic Mythology
- Archangel Micheal banishing the Red Dragon in the Book of Revelation
- Various Thunderbirds fighting Horned Water Serpents in Native American Mythology
- Heracles slaying the Lernaean Hydra in Greek Mythology
- Saint George slaying the dragon in Christian folklore
- Dobrynya Nikitich slaying Zmey Gorynych in Slavic folklore
Examples in Popular Culture[]
Examples from popular culture include
- The Dragonborn slaying Aldiun in Elder Scrolls
- Princess Celestia and Luna battling Discord in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rossana Rackley (2014) Kingship, Struggle, and Creation: The Story of Chaoskampf (Unpublished Master's Thesis) Birmingham University pp.5, 14
- ↑ Bruce Lincoln (August 1976) The Indo-European Cattle-Raiding Myth History of Religons Vol. 16 No. 1 pp.42-65 https://www.jstor.org/stable/1062296