Final answer:
The Theogony was composed as a central Greek mythological text emphasizing Zeus's role, while the Enuma Elish served to celebrate Marduk and establish Babylonian religious and political authority. Both works provided a cultural foundation, moral guidance, and philosophical insights for their respective societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Theogony was composed as a foundational text for Greek mythology, outlining the genealogy and narrative of the gods, particularly emphasizing the supreme role of Zeus. It served not only as a religious and mythological text but also as a cornerstone for Greek culture, providing moral exemplars and justifying the social order. The Enuma Elish, on the other hand, was composed for religious and political reasons, detailing the creation of the world and glorifying the god Marduk, which reinforced his status as the chief deity within the Babylonian pantheon and legitimized the political authority of Babylon over other city-states.
Both epic works, the Theogony and Enuma Elish, played integral roles in their respective societies. They provided a sense of history and identity, establishing values and explaining the natural order through divine narrative. These texts offered a repository of knowledge and guidance for individual and societal conduct, while addressing profound philosophical questions concerning human nature, destiny, and the divine cosmos.