[Valesse]

To put my two cents in concerning strictly the Valar/Greek 'cross over', I'd like to that perhaps the Tolkien demi-Pantheon converts easier to the many 'lesser' gods/goddesses, some of which weren't anthropomorphic so much as personifications or some of the earilier generations. Nienna, seems to fit the 'personification' bill much nicer than Yavanna, for instance, who would make a wonderful good-natured havest goddess or titaness... like Rheia. Or the Greek Goddess Hebe (Daughter of Zeus and Hera) who matches fairly well with Vana.

I agree that the Valar are much more even natured compared to the Greek dubious dozen, but if you prescribe to nurture more than nature you've probably considered the fact that being eaten by dear, old daddy Cronus might make you a bit pessimistic too. Or to have the origin Aphrodite has? Yikes. I'd probably feel the urge to copy Nienna some. Now, I'm not aware of Tolkien's over-all philosophy, whether he bought into Locke or Hobbs or whatever, but I know the Greeks were realists. They knew Why Bad Things Happen To Good People (to borrow a phrase) and thats because they, simply, were people. Beliefs are created to explain the reason why things happen they way they do. The harsher religions tend to be older.

On that note... Rumil: I'd suggest looking into the Enuma Elesh and Hurrian-Hittite mythologies. They're from the same theological family as those of the Greeks and Romans with a few subtle differences (I'll just say that the Cronus character was being -nice- in the Greek mythology.)

But your interest in the Hindi religion did bring me to find Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which counts the number of Gods as first 303, then 33; 6; 3; 2 and finally 1. I know that this refers to Hinduism as being monotheistic, though appearing polytheistic on the outset, but it brings back up Mothoron's comment about the Valar not really being Gods themselves, so much. They are part of Eru, the One, and have specific roles according to his will.

Linked to this is Nuer theology, which I think I see the closest connection. All of the Gods are actually one God with many forms (Kwoth). They're of the Above, which are revered far more (Manwe and Varda, etc.) and the Below (Yavanna and Aule, etc.). Unlike the Valar, however they are also not overly friendly toward human beings. They are jealous and greedy. (the Nuer protect their babies from the Gods/God by calling them ugly and spitting on them until they reach the second age-grade. It's really a fascinating culture.)

From where I sit I see a kind of theological gradient:
Greco/Roman > Nuer > Hindi* > Valar

* My knowledge of Hinduism is somewhat more than just lacking. I'd love it if someone would correct my points.

This is an excellent topic, Might