Building a mythic hero

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Yeah, I don't think King Arthur qualifies on # 5.

And Jesus? The author also messed that up. God isn't a 'close relative' of the Virgin Mary.

Oh, that's not what he's saying (he's saying Joseph is a close relative of Mary), though he's still wrong. Let's look at his list:
1. mother is a royal virgin -- not even close to true, I don't think we have a geneology for Mary (as opposed to Joseph, for whom we have two contradictory ones), and in any case, 42 generations later != royal virgin
2. father is a king -- we have a geneology of Joseph, and see 42 generations.
3. near relative of his mother -- no evidence for this being true.
4. The circumstances of his conception are unusual -- I'll grant this one.
5. He is also reputed to be the son of a god -- this one too.
6. At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grand father to kill him -- partially true
7. he is spirited away -- sure, we'll accept that one.
9. We are told nothing of his childhood -- valid.
10. On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future Kingdom -- he never becomes a king, but this is close enough.
14. For a time he reigns uneventfully -- teaching and reigning are not the same.
15. Prescribes laws -- iffy, there's no ten commandments equivalent.
16. Later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects -- I guess I can grant this, based on Judas
18. He meets with a mysterious death -- crucifixion isn't particularly mysterious.
19. Often at the top of a hill -- well, sure, but not very meaningful.
20. His children, if any do not succeed him -- granted
21. His body is not buried, but nevertheless -- well, he was entombed, but it was temporary, so we'll grant this one.
22. He has one or more holy sepulchres -- the sepulchre was built centuries after the relevant books were written; I'm not going to count 'building a shrine' unless it occurs as part of the myth.