The ancient Greeks contributed a great deal. Their mythology is full of horror - like elements, such as the story of Medusa, a woman with snakes for hair whose gaze could turn people to stone. Another is the Minotaur, a half - man, half - bull monster that lived in a labyrinth.
The ancient Egyptians also played a role. Their beliefs in mummies and the afterlife had elements of horror. The idea of the dead coming back to life in the form of mummies was a spooky concept. Also, their religious texts often had descriptions of dark gods and underworlds.
The origin of stories had a huge impact on early human cultures. They were used to preserve cultural identity. For example, tribes would have their own unique stories that set them apart from others. These stories were passed down through generations, maintaining the tribe's heritage.
In ancient cultures, horror stories often had religious or spiritual roots. For example, in Egyptian culture, the stories about mummies and curses were related to their beliefs about the afterlife. They believed that disturbing the dead could bring about terrible consequences, and these beliefs became the basis for many horror - like tales. Ancient Greek mythology also had elements of horror. The tales of monsters like Medusa, with her snake - haired visage that could turn people to stone, were used to warn people about pride and disobedience.
One of the early works is 'The Power of Sympathy' by William Hill Brown. It is considered an early American novel.
In Western cultures, the origin of ghost stories can be traced back to the Gothic literature in the 18th century. Writers like Horace Walpole with his 'The Castle of Otranto' started a trend of writing about haunted castles and spooky apparitions. This was influenced by the dark and gloomy architecture of the time and the superstitions about the afterlife in Christianity. In Asian cultures, for example in Japan, ghost stories often have their roots in Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. The idea of vengeful spirits, or 'yurei', comes from the belief that those who die with strong emotions or unfinished business can return as ghosts. These stories were also used to teach moral lessons.
A man retired early believing he could live off his investments. But the market crashed soon after. He lost a significant portion of his savings. He had to go back to work part - time at a much lower - paying job just to make ends meet. He also had to cut back on many of his hobbies and luxuries.
Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart' is a very important work. It was one of the first novels to present African culture from an insider's perspective, challenging the Eurocentric views that were prevalent at the time. It depicted the Igbo society before and during the colonial encounter.
The impact on cultures' origin stories can be profound. For example, colonization often overshadowed native origin stories with the colonizers' own versions. New religious beliefs introduced can also merge or replace parts of existing origin stories.
There's 'At the Mountains of Madness' by Lovecraft. It follows an Antarctic expedition that uncovers ancient, alien horrors. The desolate Antarctic setting adds to the sense of isolation and fear. 'The Invisible Man' by Wells is also an early example. A scientist discovers how to become invisible but then descends into madness and villainy, causing horror for those around him.
One common creation origin story is from the Judeo - Christian tradition. In the book of Genesis, God creates the world in six days and rests on the seventh. He creates light first, then separates the waters, forms the land, creates plants, animals, and finally man in His own image. Another is from Greek mythology where Chaos gives birth to various primordial deities like Gaia (the Earth), Tartarus (the underworld), and Eros (love). These deities then play roles in the further formation of the world.
In Christian culture, there is the story of Adam and Eve. God created Adam from the dust and then created Eve from Adam's rib. In Greek mythology, Prometheus is said to have created man from clay. Another example is from some Native American cultures, where they believe that man was created by the Great Spirit.