Iliad/Exodus parallel?

[mahud]

I see a parallel between the opening chapters of the book of Exodus, and the intro to the Iliad, but I've never really discussed it with anyone before. Is there a connection do you think, or is it just coincidence, that both match up on a number of different points? I can't help but think that either one is based on the other, or they both share a common root.

The Iliad begins when Chryses, Apollo's priest, approaches King Agamemnon and asks that the king set his daughter free. King Agamemnon refuses and Apollo's high priest calls upon his god, and Apollo ,in his wrath, rains down a deadly plague upon the Achaeans.

In the book of Exodus. Moses (and his Brother: a priest) approaches Pharoah and asks him to to let his people (the daughter of Zion) go. Pharoah refuses, and the LORD God brings a multitude of plagues down upon the Egyptians.

Pharoah king of Egypt = King Agamemnon
Chryses = Moses (and Aaron)
Chryseis the priests daughter = the Israelites (daughter of Zion)
Apollo = the LORD
Plague = 10 plagues

In the end both Kings are forced to relent and hand over, in the case of Agamemnon, the girl Chryseis, and Pharoah, the Israelites. And then both stories go off in their own directions.

[queenofsheba]

I think it's a coincidence. I believe that the Egyptian pharaoh who gave permission was Hachepsut (1484-1468) and that the pharaoh who purchased the Israelites was her nephew Thot-Moses III.
The Greek legends are probably based on wars between Athens and Troy or other city states. I think the comparison doesn't go far enough to be the same story.

[pohaikawahine]

Originally Posted by mahud

I see a parallel between the opening chapters of the book of Exodus, and the intro to the Iliad, but I've never really discussed it with anyone before. Is there a connection do you think, or is it just coincidence, that both match up on a number of different points? I can't help but think that either one is based on the other, or they both share a common root.

pursue what your instincts tell you and look for parallels in other texts as well ....I find that when I read or study the symbols I find the conections .... many times there is a common root, but it is not one or the other .... it is something much deeper .... what I would refer to as the "ancient source" .... to understand more about the essence of the Iliad, learn more about Homer .... his life, his spiritual inclinations, his fields of study .... this will give you clues about what it is you "sense" right now .... don't give up on this search because it is a very important one and new paths will open up as you begin to see the connections .... enjoy the adventure .... he hawai'i au, poh

[mahud]

Thanks for your input, queenofsheba . i agree with you up to a point. They are very distinct historical events. I'm still not entirely sure that there isn't some kind of connection there though.

Thanks for that, pohaikawahine yeah i find mythology very adventurous, hehe. I wont give up, as I usually find that when you pursue one path it opens up doors to other ones too, and sometimes you find the answer in very unexpected places, even when you are not specifically looking for it.

"his spiritual inclinations". Yeah that is something worth thinking about. Thank you.

[Alvis Rofhessa]

It could be coincidence but I personally generally don't believe in coincidences.

Another strange parallel I found was Tros, Priam & his son Aesacus ~ Terah, Abram, Isaac? Jantsang reckons Priam is king Piram of Jarmuth (bk Joshua).

(The Tjekker sea peoples that settled at Dor may be connected with Teucrians/Trojans.)

I don't see why it could not be connected since the story of Moses striking water out of rock is also found more than one version in Greek myth (Jason (& Argonauts), Pegasus struck Mt Helicon with hoof bringing forth spring, Hercules, Bacchus.) (Chuck Misler also reckons conection between serpent on cross and caduceus $. Pi (Pythagoras) is allegedly found in bible.)

The dating (& gender) of Homer is very disputed, some say early (witness war), some say late. I heard yr or so ago that the Trojan horse is evidence of Assyrian synchronism.

There are also parallels between Odysseus and Gilgamesh, and betw Hercules and Gilgamesh: 12 books Homer, 12 pillars Hercules, 12 tablets epic Gilgamesh, 120 poles Gilgamesh, 12 labours Hercules.

The exodus is conventionally dated in 18th or 19th dyn, or alternatively in 13th dyn. I provisionally think it was in 12th dyn but not at all sure yet. Velikovsky believes Hatshepsut was Q of Sheba. (Joseph is dated between 12th (alt) and 15th (orthodox) dyns but I am sure that that is way to late. I am slowly investigating between 1st and 11th dyns....)

[flowperson]

All mythologies contain kernels of truth that probably happened at one time and place or another. Unless I misunderstand relativity theories, the farther back in time one goes, the more realities converge. So it's not so surprising that ancient societies shared stories regarding their most meaningful experiences, and then borrowed from each other to spin new stories.

flow....

[wil]

Namaste Mahud,

I think it must also be noted that these parallels, synchronicities, coincidences are often for us.

Others may not see it as they do not have the societal, family, personal history that we do.

I agree with poh, explore this parallel and others that you see, as they are there for your growth...sometimes they will resonate with others and sometimes they won't.

But what matters isn't what others think (especially me) or often even the parallel, it is how the exploration reveals something in your path.