The End of the Gods

Fandango

af05c2ad-3af7-4402-8d53-75591e6f3a1bThere was a time, many, many years ago, when the inhabitants of the land believed that there were a great number of gods and goddesses. These gods had control over many different aspects of life on earth. In many ways they were very human. They could be kind or mean, angry or pleasant, cruel or loving. They fell in love with each other, argued with each other, and even stole from each other.

Zeus was king of the gods. He had won the draw and became the supreme ruler of all of the lesser gods. He, himself, was the god of the sky, rain, and thunder and he lived high atop Mount Olympus. His weapon was a thunderbolt, which he hurled at those who displeased him. He ruled over both man and the gods. He was worshipped and idolized.

But time marches on and even the all powerful Zeus could not stop the winds of change. Humans began to question the whole idea of many gods who possessed both supernatural and human attributes. They sought to simplify their beliefs by embracing a single, supernatural deity, one that was omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. One that was free of human traits and frailties, who was apart from and above the fray.

Zeus and all of his lesser gods were ignobly cast aside, as the people flocked to the one God, invisible, unknown, and unknowable. Zeus and his gods became lost in time and in place, no longer held in esteem, no longer worshipped, no longer feared. And worst of all, no longer seen.

Banished into the wilderness and unrecognizable to their former human subjects, the gods appeared to be ancient giant redwoods, wide and flowing rivers, vast deserts, and majestic mountains.

Zeus, himself, was banished to a frozen wasteland, and to those who braved the wintry elements and hiked near him, they could only see a huge, craggy mountain, unable to discern the frozen tears and the true visage of the once great and powerful king of the gods.

Written for Diana’s, at Myth in the Mirror, January’s Writing Prompt, part of her Speculative Fiction Writing Prompt.

36 thoughts on “The End of the Gods”

  1. wideeyedwanderingspoonie January 5, 2019 / 4:20 pm

    That was AWESOME! I love the idea of gods as natural elements. In the southwest corner of Colorado lies “Sleeping Ute” mountain. There’s a great legend very similar to yours.

    Liked by 2 people

      • The Craziest And Weirdest January 21, 2019 / 3:20 pm

        Brilliant post! Speaking of Zeus, I actually made a video ( bit.ly/2FpgCOJ ) listing all the supreme gods from around the world and I included Zeus.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. D. Wallace Peach January 5, 2019 / 5:37 pm

    I mirror Wide-eyes comment. I love the idea of the gods becoming majestic elements of the Earth. Great story. Thanks so much for taking part in the prompt and pulling together such a powerful response. I’m looking forward to sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Hélène Vaillant January 5, 2019 / 6:47 pm

    You wrote a wonderful story for the prompt. It was a pleasant read.🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Marilyn Armstrong January 5, 2019 / 10:45 pm

    If you have not already done so, please read Douglas Adams “The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul.” You will love it. It’s my favorite of all his books.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 5, 2019 / 10:47 pm

      I will go to Amazon and download it tomorrow morning. Thanks for the recommendation.

      Like

  6. All About Life January 6, 2019 / 12:06 am

    This is wonderful! I love the idea of the ancient gods living within nature; creative and beautifully written :O) x

    Liked by 1 person

  7. blindzanygirl January 6, 2019 / 12:30 am

    I like this

    Liked by 1 person

  8. leigha66 January 12, 2019 / 3:17 pm

    As many others have said, the idea of Gods blending into nature is amazing. Loved this one!

    Liked by 1 person

      • D. Wallace Peach January 14, 2019 / 11:42 am

        Very welcome. Thanks for participating. I hope you give it another go in February. 🙂

        Like

  10. Joanne Sisco January 14, 2019 / 9:49 am

    I’m visiting via Diana at Myths of the Mirror. I too liked the idea of the gods becoming natural elements. I might never look at a craggy mountain quite the same way again.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 14, 2019 / 11:30 am

      Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my post.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Carol J Forrester January 14, 2019 / 11:48 am

    Love the idea of gods as elements. Have you read Neil Gaiman’s American Gods?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 14, 2019 / 11:52 am

      No I haven’t. I’ll look into it.

      Like

  14. Godwin T. Ihagh January 20, 2019 / 9:48 am

    very very very interesting.

    probably the level of godhood power of all types of gods (the Olympian gods of ancient Greeks, the gods of other ancient territories, and the gods of our generation) was/is just a few times greater than the power of mankind.

    Well, my Bible said it ages ago that “yea are gods”

    Liked by 1 person

      • Marleen January 20, 2019 / 11:13 am

        https://biblehub.com/psalms/82-6.htm…

        5They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.” 6I have said, “You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High. 7But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.”

        … Berean Study Bible

        Liked by 2 people

          • Marleen January 21, 2019 / 4:35 pm

            Now let us look at Psalm 82 to determine its context and the theme/purpose of the Psalm. The entire psalm is a scathing rebuke aimed at unjust judges in contrast to the just Judge of all the earth. In reality, Asaph, the author of the psalm, is crying out for God to do something about the corrupt judges of his day; they show partiality, they neglect caring for the downtrodden, the weak, the afflicted, etc. …

            …
            …
            …

            ….. the word “Elohim” is also used in verse 1 …

            ……

            Liked by 1 person

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  16. artista10 February 27, 2019 / 7:47 am

    so, were Gods fallen angels? Or were they what? I love this and I have read mention of other Gods in the Bible. You made me think about it! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marleen March 21, 2019 / 7:39 pm

      What the hell… money, money. One of the sickest manifestations of religion.

      Liked by 1 person

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