Ahira's Hangar

OK, I know that one of the basis of the Lovecraftian mythos is that there was a time before recorded history when demonic forces and beings ruled this planet. These beings and the magicks they commanded were banished from this plane of existence and since then humans and their ilk have come into predominance. Does this idea originate with Lovecraft? One can find some precedent ideas from the Book of Enoch and other like work, part of Pseudographia, Milton's poetry, and extensively in certain types of mythology (all likely examples, not an exclusive list). But was HPL the first to use this extensively as trope for fantasy and horror fiction. And one might ask why I am even asking the question, well it seems the idea has always been part of the Buffyverse (when Whedon borrows he takes from the best) taraswizard
Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV
Chicago area
W/T forever, always
Plan C - http://planc.bravepages.com/main.html<i>Edited by: taraswizard at: 3/16/04 8:32 pm
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I would venture, shakily to say yes. I think I remember some type of ancient supernatural race mentioned in the Icelandic Eddas (but I may be wrong). Prob the best source to confirm this is L. Spauge de Camp's stellar biography of H.P. *****
Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise.
Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) <i></i>

Most mythologies have similar themes. The Greeks believed the Olympian gods banished the Titans and the Giants; the Babylonians that Marduk banished Tiamet, the Irish that the Gaels banished the Tuatha de Dannan underground (who had themselves banished the Fomoiri) <i></i>

Right, I fully understand that but he was talking about purely "demonic" and that's rather hard to find... *****
Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise.
Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) <i></i>

Tiamet and the Fomoiri, as were the Giants were viewed as demonic. It all depends on your view of what a demon is. <i></i>