Comparative Mythology in the Western Cultural Tradition

Because of development of comparative linguistics in the 19th Century and ethnological findings of the 20th Century، mythology was introduced as a scientific discipline; and، since ancient myths of nations are the most fundamental categories to know various nations، researchers focused on comparative mythology as a way to mutual understanding among nations. Because of this، dialogue and interaction between nations began. Thus، comparative mythology is able to remove grounds of disputes and conflicts between nations- which are mostly products of antipathy and absence of a mutual language; for، focus on cultural infrastructures may lead us to find common features among various nations; and such common features may lead to peace and friendship among them. In addition، researchers may pay attention to various climatic necessities because of differences between myths so that each and every nation may be judged under its own conditions; and such a mutual understanding may hinder enmities between nations. It should be noted that in the present article، only western views toward comparative mythology have been discussed and studies.