Final answer:
Powell's quote suggests that the Greek understanding of the human world's emergence was one of gradual and non-linear progression, illustrated by various myths of creation and transformation, unlike the European linear viewpoint during Columbus's era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote by Powell referencing Greek myth indicates that the human world was not created instantaneously, but went through various stages and restarts. For the Greeks, there were multiple 'beginnings' in their mythological narratives, such as the successive ages of man from the Golden Age to the Iron Age, and the repeated destructions and renewals of the world, as in the stories of the great floods (such as Deucalion's flood). These myths illustrate a cyclical concept of time, rather than a linear one, reflecting a broader, more nuanced view of human existence and the cosmos.
Greek mythology often depicts gods and heroes who experience setbacks and embark on new ventures, symbolizing this notion of 'delays and new beginnings'. For instance, Prometheus's creation of humanity, then later giving them fire despite Zeus's decree, resulted in both a delay and a new beginning for mankind. Similarly, the Trojan War saga, including the fall of Troy and the subsequent wandering of heroes like Odysseus, represents both an end and a commencement of different eras.
In contrast, Europeans at the time of Columbus viewed time and the progression of the human world as linear, with a clear beginning, middle, and end as depicted in Christian theology. This affected their worldview and their approach to exploration and colonization, as they endeavored to impose their narrative of progress on the lands they encountered.