On the setting of Undertale (hint: it’s probably Greece)
So. Everyone has their fandom pet peeves, right?
One of mine is that everyone seems to just assume that Undertale is set in America. Now I know that a lot of people in this community are, in fact, American, so they might just assume that Undertale is set in their own country like so many other modern stories.
However, that is highly unlikely.
Before I go into my own theory on where this beautiful tale might be taking place, let’s first examine why I think it is not America. After all, Toby Fox is American, right? And the original language of the game is English? Why wouldn’t he set it somewhere within his own country?
Well then. Let us take a look at Undertale’s prologue.
We all know these images very well.
This famed war between humans and monsters - just how long ago was it?
Look at the weapons the humans are using.
Spears, swords, torches?
This human civilisation looks medieval at best, and it could be a lot older than even that. This kind of culture never made it to America.
Therefore, the modern day Underground can not be set anywhere on that continent.
Now, you could just say that this is just some medieval society somewhere in Europe and be done with it. But where would be the fun in that? We’re digging deeper!
Take a moment to consider Asgore’s weapon of choice. The trident.
There is one particular mythology in which the trident is very prominent.
Why yes, I am talking about Greek mythology. Ding-ding-ding! Here is Poseidon in all his glory, wielding his iconic weapon.
Let’s further this thought, then: Greek mythology is old. It has since passed from a great religion into obscure stories.
You know what else did, too? The war between humans and monsters. Mt Ebott’s history has been all but forgotten; there are nothing but a few vague rumours surrounding the mountain in modern times. Perhaps, the war was a lot longer ago than some people seem to belive. Hmmm. How about around 700-600 b.C.?
Now now, you’re all going to call me crazy, but hear me out first.
It was around this time that the great singer and poet Homer finally put the events surrounding the Trojan War into written word. The tales had been passed down from generation to generation verbally, and in them, there were lots of monsters and other fantastical creatures. They were integrated into these stories as if they were the most natural thing in the world, and to the ancient Greeks? They were.
You see, to them, these were not just stories. They considered this their actual history. Even back then, there were historians; take Diodorus Sicilus, for example. This man wrote 40 books on what he perceived as the true Greek history, and in those books, he didn’t differentiate between mythology and fact. They were one and the same to him.
Wouldn’t the war between humans and monsters be the perfect way to bridge this contradiction? It fits perfectly into this setting.
Alright alright, not convinced yet? Tough crowd.
Prepare for my juiciest piece of evidence, then.
Please take a look at these pillars:
This type of pillar is called “doric column”, and it is very iconic for ancient Greece. This kind of architecture started developing in the 7th century b.C., and it was prevalent throughout the Greek culture for centuries.
Why am I showing this to you?
Well, if we go back to Undertale’s prologue and watch the part in which Chara falls into the Underground - What do we see? What do we see in this very oldest part of the Underground, the area in which the monsters first settled after being sealed down there?
Yeah, that’s right. Doric columns.
Also, can I just add that Greece has the perfect terrain for Mt Ebbot to be located there? Lots of mountains, but they aren’t so high that a child would be unable to climb them. Just saying. ;)
