What is the history of apocalyptic mythologies

The fear of the unknown makes a large part of many mythologies for cultures around the world in ancient and even modern times. The end of the world, or the apocalypse as commonly known, is a genre of mythologies that reflects our deepest fears not only for ourselves but usually our society and culture. This could be, at times, based on some reality or stories of crises for a given culture or society, while at other times it represents a warning that society should heed or even change its ways before it is too late.

Old World Apocalypse Stories

Cultures that discuss the end of the world sometimes differ in their timelines. In effect, for the Flood story from ancient Mesopotamia indicates that the end of the world had already happened. The story of Utnapishtim, who is similar to Noah as being the man saved by the gods from the great Flood, represents a time when the world was ending as the gods were angry. However, a different world, then one representing a new birth of cities and civilization, begins after the great Flood. Similarly, in Greek mythology, periodic waves of destruction by floods and fire occurred. The world, as it is known, 'ends' but is reborn as the gods allow a new rebirth. Perhaps the apocalypse we are more familiar with has similarities to the Zoroastrian story on Judgment Day and end times. In the classical and best known version of Zoroastrian end times, Ahura Mazda, the great Lord, will rectify the evil in this world by creating a great fire that will consume all evil. Angra Mainyu, the evil being, will be destroyed and the resurrection of those who are good and righteous will occur at the end times. This will lead to a new Gold Age, which will be Paradise that includes a righteous life. Those who are evil will be judged and condemned by Ahura Mazda.

Ragnarok is the Norse mythology about the end of the world, which will entail a giant battle between the gods and giants made of frost and fire. The world will be destroyed in the process of this battle, once again in a type of great flood. The remaining gods will meet, once again, and the world will be repopulated by two humans. Similar to the Christian apocalypse, there will be a series of signs about the end times. First, there will be a long winter that lasts for a year, called Fimbulvetr. Then three different rosters will give warning about the end of the world and the coming battle. In Buddhism, the end times will be preceded by great greed, lust, violence, impiety, murder, sexual sin, and generally societal collapse. The teaching of Buddha will be forgotten and even relics destroyed. However, the world will return to a new Golden Age, with the coming of the Maitreya that restores and makes the world remember the teachings of Buddha. In Hinduism, the end of the world is cyclical, entering phases that last 4.1 – 8.2 billion years. There are four main phases during a cycle with the world becoming progressively impious, violent and full of moral decay. The dharma pillars will be reduced to one, truth. Kalki, an avatar will appear on a white horse, and will restore humanity with a pure mind. The cycle then begins anew as it enters another phase that repeats. However, at some point, the larger universe is destroyed and another will be born as Brahma, the creator god, returns to singularity.

New World Apocalypse Stories

Many of the apocalypse stories in the Old World deal with righteousness and the failure of humans and their behaviour in the times the occur prior to the end of the world. The Mayan apocalypse is based on a cyclical calendar made of 144,000-day-long cycles, which reflect the length the world lasts. After this time, something that would end the world would happen. However, unlike the other religious mentioned, there is no cosmic battle or contest between good and evil. The world simply ends but is then reborn to start the calendar again. According to some, the last cycle began in 669, which is a date based on a carving found, and was suppose to end on December 21, 2012, which had led some to believe the end of the world in our own time would occur to that date. However, there is no set time that can be derived from Mayan belief.

Aztec beliefs reflect also a cyclical world. In fact, there had been five worlds so far, the so-called five suns representing the new suns for each world. Aztec beliefs and practices have revolved around their fear or belief in end times. In fact, human sacrifices were intended to placate Tzitzimitl, that is the stars, who can destroy the sun. Other sacrifices were also intended to placate the gods. If the stars and associated gods are angry and are successful in their assault on the sun, then the world will go black and there will be a catastrophic earthquake.The Tzitzimitl will slay Huitzilopochtli, their brother, and all of humanity will perish because of this. However, it is likely another cycle would begin and another sun created to spell the beginning of humans once again. The reality for both the Maya and Aztec end times, similar in some way to the Old World, is there are many version of similar stories and the myths are not consistent, making it hard to judge what the 'classic' version would be. Often, these stories were more oral.