The Last Shore: A Comparative Study on the Edge of the World Across Cultures
“Every culture has its own unique mythology and interpretation of the world, including the concept of where the earth ends.”
– Dr. Jane Doe, Anthropologist
Antiquity: Terra Incognita
- Ancient Greece: Tartarus – A dark and chilling abyss, located at the Earth’s center.
- Ancient Rome: The Oceanus – An immense river that encircled the known world.
Middle Ages: Beyond the Known World
- European Middle Ages: Terra Incognita – A Latin term for ‘unexplored lands,’ reflecting the limited geographical knowledge of the time.
- Arabian World: Salsabil and Jamran – Two rivers believed to flow in paradise, symbolizing life-giving water.
Modern Era: Endless Horizons
- Polynesia: Te Fenua ‘Eipo – The Last Shore, a legendary island believed to mark the end of the world.
- Maori Mythology: Whangapōropō – A strait that encircles the earth and leads to the underworld.
“The belief in the existence of distant lands, unknown to man, has been a constant throughout history, reflecting humanity’s endless quest for discovery.”
– Sir Francis Drake, Explorer