Table of Contents
Introduction of Flavius Josephus
Paul Wallis begins by discussing Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian. Wallis notes that in his research for Escaping from Eden, Josephus’ approach to Greek mythology was surprising, as he treated myths like The Clash of the Titans as historical records. Josephus’ interpretation links the Greek myth of Uranus and Earth producing Titans with Genesis 6 in the Bible.
He parallels non-terrestrial beings mingling with humans, resulting in beings like the Nephilim and Titans, believed by Josephus to still have descendants living in the world during his time.
The Historical Clash of Mythology
Wallis reflects on how Josephus linked mythology and history. Josephus treated the Greek Clash of the Titans and biblical Genesis as historical events, a perspective that aligns with ancient worldviews, including those of Pythagoras and Plato.
These worldviews saw a connection between non-human entities and human legends. He finds it fascinating that Greek myths, which were taught in school as fiction, are perceived as historical records by figures like Josephus.
The Influence of Ancient Civilizations
Wallis then shifts his focus to his travels, particularly to ancient sites such as Knossos in Greece, which he visited in 1985. He describes the overwhelming experience of standing at these historical locations and reflecting on the lost knowledge and advanced civilizations that once thrived.
Wallis wonders how such sophisticated societies, with their architectural and technological achievements, vanished and what wisdom might have been lost in the process.
The Minotaur and Minoan Civilization
At Knossos, Wallis learned about the origin of the Minoan civilization. The guide explained that the Minoans descended from the hybrid offspring of Europa and Zeus.
Europa, a Phoenician princess, was abducted by Zeus, and their son, Minos, became the progenitor of the Minoan civilization.
This story, considered history by the locals, further intrigued Wallis, as it mirrored other cultural myths that attribute advanced knowledge to non-human origins.
Greek Gods and Mortality
One unexpected discovery Wallis made was learning that Zeus, considered a god in Greek mythology, was mortal and died in battle.
This challenged his preconceptions about gods, whom he had always believed to be immortal and transcendent. He explores how the flaws and mortality of Greek gods present a different understanding of divinity and its connection to humanity.
The Philosophical Contributions of Plato
Wallis then highlights the influence of Plato on his own work. Plato’s synthesis of knowledge from different parts of the world, including Africa and Asia, and his use of logic to argue philosophical points had a profound impact on Wallis’ thinking.
Plato’s exploration of transpersonal experiences through the Eleusinian Mysteries, involving near-death rituals and contact with otherworldly beings, deeply shaped his understanding of the ancient world’s approach to consciousness and knowledge.
The Broader Impact of Ancient Myths
Wallis concludes by pointing out the recurring motifs of abduction and hybridization found in myths across various cultures, from Greece to Africa, the Philippines, and beyond.
These stories, whether in the context of the Mami Wata traditions of Ghana or the Nephilim in the Bible, suggest that non-human involvement in human development might be a memory encoded in ancient mythologies.
He argues that these stories could reflect actual experiences, such as ancient instances of hybridization and cloning, that shaped human evolution.
