THE CONCEPT OF «THE OTHERWISE» IN ANCIENT MYTHOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: IMAGINATION AND ROLE IN CULTURE

The article explores conceptions of the afterworld in archaic period and cultures ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece. diversity common features afterlife these are analyzed, with a focus on role significance concept «otherworld» their respective cultural contexts. importance interpretations mythological narratives religious rituals shaping is revealed. In particular, special attention given to funerary practices formation beliefs. Ideas about didn’t arise immediately, but only at certain level development primitive culture. simplest ideas world dead, stay soul was associated places its vital activity, or, conversely, deserted places. At this stage development, perceived as continuation earthly life. Completely different emerged civilizations world. portrayed distant reality that contrasted living. Various postmortem existence differentiated realm beyond arose, giving birth spheres within them. Mesopotamian culture, differentiation just beginning; Egyptian mythology developed teachings Fields Ialu had less Duat; Greek introduced division between Hades Elysium (the Elysian Fields) Tartarus. Thus, encompassed not belief also system values, rituals, perspectives influenced all aspects life for peoples civilizations.