From Cosmogony to Cosmic Eschatology

Abstract This chapter provides a summary and brief analysis of the overall narrative sweep of ONM, from cosmogony to eschatology. Cosmogonic myths may be said to include the formation of the cosmos and the origins of the various mythological groups and relationships. The myths set in the period between cosmogony and eschatology recount the fraught encounters between two of these groups, gods and giants, which began when the gods killed a giant to form the cosmos. Eschatological myths involve a final fatal battle between these groups, the destruction of the cosmos, and its rebirth. Besides cosmogonic and eschatological myths, one can distinguish myths of acquisition and reacquisition, myths of giant-slaying, and myths of verbal duels.