In Serbia, myths go so far that even those who claim Jesus was Serbian have followers

Nations are often built on shared origin myths, a process that helps people of different languages, religions, and experiences coalesce into a single community. These narratives are crucial for overcoming internal differences and fostering a sense of collective identity.

The article suggests that the drive to create a unified national story can push mythological interpretations of the past to extreme, even absurd, limits. These elaborate tales often transform into grand ideas of common ancestry, providing a foundational narrative for the imagined community.

This process is presented as a way to connect disparate groups with their own local histories and distinct dialects. By establishing a common official language and a shared, albeit often fabricated, vision of the past, nations can bind together their populations.

The piece points to Croatia's monument, "The Arrival of Croats on the Adriatic," erected near a highway rest stop, as a stark example where mythology has seemingly overshadowed scientific understanding in the construction of national identity.