Few science fiction universes have combined ancient mythology and sci-fi storytelling as convincingly as Stargate. What started as a 1994 feature film by Roland Emmerich morphed into a vast franchise of television programs, novels, and spin-offs. Fundamentally, Stargate retells the myths and legends of Earth’s history using the framework of alien technology and space travel, making gods into galactic masters and sacred artifacts into old devices.
The Gate of Myth
Stargate’s premise is gracefully simple: a gargantuan, ring-shaped machine—the Stargate—enables simultaneous travel throughout the universe. But it’s the mythology that raises the show above generic sci-fi fare. In the franchise’s flagship television series, Stargate SG-1, humanity’s ancient deities are exposed as alien impersonators, controlling early civilizations with advanced technology.
Consider the Egyptian pantheon, for instance. Ra, Anubis, Apophis—names ripped directly from old myth—are Goa’uld, parasitic creatures who hold human hosts and command through fear and deception. They did not simply spark the myths—they are the myths, revised in the guise of science fiction.
This reinterpretation breathes new life into the legends we’ve known for centuries. The gods of Egypt, the Norse pantheon, and even the Arthurian knights aren’t divine figures but extraterrestrials, misunderstood by ancient societies who couldn’t explain their otherworldly technology.
Norse Gods, Lost Cities, and Legendary Kings
Stargate SG-1’s mythological investigation continues with the Asgard, a technologically advanced alien civilization portrayed as the foundation for Norse myth. Thor and Loki are not god—friendly scientists and warriors leading humanity from behind the scenes. This inventive spin does not merely make for good TV; it forces the viewers to reexamine the origins of mythology itself.
On Stargate Atlantis, the franchise explores the myth of the lost city of Atlantis. Not an island swallowed up by the ocean, as in myth, Atlantis is a giant intergalactic city-ship built by the Ancients—an advanced civilization that sowed human life throughout the galaxies. The combination of ancient myth and hard science fiction in the show not only expands the universe but also brings gravity and awe to the myth of Atlantis.
Even the Arthurian legends are reinterpreted in the Stargate universe. Characters like Merlin are revealed to be Ancients using technology so advanced, it was mistaken for magic. Tales of Camelot, Avalon, and the Holy Grail take on new meaning as artifacts and locations tied to alien influence and interdimensional warfare.
A Grounded, Human Touch
Despite its extensive mythology and cosmic scope, Stargate never gets lost. A lot of the show’s success is due to its ensemble cast and character-driven storylines. Richard Dean Anderson’s acting as Colonel Jack O’Neill added humor and humanity to the series, while Amanda Tapping (Major Samantha Carter), Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson), and Christopher Judge (Teal’c) provided brains, moral depth, and brawn.
Working behind the lens, producers Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner converted Stargate SG-1 into one of the most enduring sci-fi dramas on North American television. Their inspiration was based on investigating the “what ifs” of history—what if our myths were true? What if those gods were aliens? What if our past holds the secret to our future?
The Power of Pseudoarchaeology
Though rooted firmly in science fiction, Stargate goes all in on pseudoarchaeology—the belief that advanced extraterrestrial beings communicated with old civilizations. The subject appeals to those who enjoy alternative history and conspiracy theories, recalling ideas promoted in such bestsellers as Chariots of the Gods? by Erich von Däniken.
Of course, there’s no attempt to make the show strictly historically accurate. Rather, it takes common stories and symbols and stitches them together into something new—a new type of storytelling that brings together speculative fiction and actual mythology in a style that’s inventive, exciting, and even occasionally brainy.
A Lasting Legacy
It’s a world where history and fantasy blend, and where legends are not just stories—they are markers to the stars.
For sci-fi fans, mythology buffs, and just plain good storytellers, Stargate is a brand that stands the test of time. It reminds us that the past is not just something to learn about, but rather something to uncover—across the universe, through wormholes, and beyond our imaginations.