Ancient Greek religion and mythology Books

Book Synopsis'Fans of Anne Carson, rejoice!... Carson's depth of knowledge about Greek mythology coupled with her poetic sensibility and illustrations is sure to breathe new life into this oft-told story.' Lit HubH of H Playbook is an explosion of thought, in drawings and language, about a Greek tragedy called Herakles by the 5th-century BC poet Euripides. In myth Herakles is an embodiment of manly violence who returns home after years of making war on enemies and monsters (his famous "Labours of Herakles") to find he cannot adapt himself to a life of peacetime domesticity. He goes berserk and murders his whole family. Suicide is his next idea. Amazingly, this does not happen. Due to the intervention of his friend Theseus, Herakles comes to believe he is not, after all, indelibly stained by his own crimes, nor is his life without value. It remains for the reader to judge this redemptive outcome."I think there is no such thing as an innocent landscape," said Anselm Kiefer, painter of forests grown tall on bones.Trade ReviewCarson applies the habits of classical scholarship, the linguistic rigour, the relentless search for evidence, the jigsaw approach to scattered facts, to the trivia of contemporary private life.- * Sam Anderson, New York Magazine *This book is a beautiful one, thoughtfully produced... the bold, bloody red paint makes a powerful impact, evoking the violent outcome of the play. * Minera *Like all of Anne Carson's writing, this book is amazing - I haven't discovered any writing in years that's so marvellously disturbing. I just feel so happy that she's around. -- Alice Munro on AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REDHer work is full of moments of startling originality and beauty. The poems play with character and plot, myth and magic; they are rich with attitude and wit and the undertow of grief. If she was a prose writer she would instantly be recognised as a genius. -- Colm Tóibín on AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REDAnne Carson is a daring, learned, unsettling writer. Autobiography of Red, which perhaps comes closest to representing the range of her voice and gifts, is a spellbinding achievement. -- Susan Sontag on AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RED

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Book SynopsisArtemis is a literary, iconographic, and archaeological study of the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, who presided over the transitions and mediations between the wild and the civilized, youth and maturity, life and death. Beginning with a study of the early origins of Artemis and her cult in the Bronze and Archaic Ages, Budin explores the goddess'' persona and her role in the lives of her worshippers.This volume examines her birth and childhood, her place in the divine family, her virginity, and her associations with those places where the wilds become the cities of just men. The focus then turns to Artemis' role in the lives of children and women, particularly how she helps them navigate the transition to adulthood and, perhaps too often, death. Budin goes on to reconsider some of the more harrowing aspects of Artemis' mythology, such as plague and bloodshed, while also examining some of her kinder, oft overlooked associations. Finally, the role of Artemis in theTrade Review"Stephanie Budin’s Artemis is a richly detailed and engaging study that offers a welcome contribution to the fields of Greek religion and mythology. Expertly weaving together evidence from literary texts and inscriptions, archaeology and the visual arts, Budin uncovers the many meanings and layers of Artemis through her origin stories, her iconic roles as virgin and huntress, and her mediating function as a goddess of critical female transitions. With the passion and wit of a great teacher, Budin convincingly demonstrates that the worship of Artemis was truly a life-or-death matter for the ancient Greeks." - Monica S. Cyrino, University of New Mexico"Although principally writing for undergraduates, historian Budin not only surveys the current scholarship but also argues for revisions; most compellingly, that Artemis was not associated with warfare, and that the evidence claimed for that view is from the Roman period, or is methodologically flawed. While rigorous, the volume remains clear and approachable: all Greek is translated; arguments based on Greek language are judiciously chosen and lucid. An important book for collections supporting study of mythology, religion, and literature, and likely to appeal to a broader audience...Summing Up: Highly recommended." - P. E. Ojennus, Whitworth University, CHOICETable of ContentsIntroduction: Why Artemis?1 An Early History of Artemis2 The Childhood and Perpetual Virginity of Artemis3 Artemis of the Wilds4 Artemis and Children5 Artemis and Women6 Artemis as Goddess of Plague and Cruelty7 Some Underappreciated Aspects of Artemis8 Artemis Afterwards

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Book SynopsisA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE YEAR LONGLISTED FOR THE ANGLO-HELLENIC LEAGUE RUNCIMAN AWARD 2022 ‘Peter Fiennes’s road trip around Greece [is] engagingly described’ Mary Beard, TLS ‘Fiennes is a brilliant and generous guide through Greece’ Observer ‘A wonderful… really profound meditation on what it means to hope… a gorgeous excursion into Greece and across the centuries on an environmental quest’ BBC Radio 4 Open Book Book of the Year choice by Anita Roy What do the Greek myths mean to us today? It’s now a golden age for these tales - they crop up in novels, films and popular culture. But what’s the modern relevance of Theseus, Hera and Pandora? Were these stories ever meant for children? And what’s to be seen now at the places where heroes fought and gods once quarrelled? Peter Fiennes travelTrade Review‘Peter Fiennes’s road trip around Greece – engagingly described in A Thing of Beauty – began with a visit to Lord Byron’s house… Fiennes’s tough talk and his down-to-earth refusal to put up with pretentious silliness contributes a lot to the pleasure of the book… [he] is well attuned to the ambivalence of hope.’ -- Mary Beard, Times Literary Supplement‘Fiennes is a brilliant and generous guide… a must-read.’ -- Alex Preston, Observer‘This book is a lament for a poisoned planet… He goes in search of the numinous but relishes the bathos of modernity… not so much a travelogue as an excursion into the psyche of Anthropocene man.’ * Literary Review *‘A wonderful book by a wonderful writer.’ -- Tom Holland‘A wonderful… really profound meditation on what it means to hope… a gorgeous excursion into Greece and across the centuries on an environmental quest’ * BBC Radio 4 Open Book BOOK OF THE YEAR choice by Anita Roy *‘A Thing of Beauty is an immensely pleasurable read. It takes you on an adventure around Greece and the myths that the ancients told there. But what really stayed with me were the reflections on storytelling, joy, and hope. Essential reading for our pandemic and pollution ravaged times.’ -- Helen Morales, author of Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths‘Peter Fiennes has a way of making even the most serious of subjects enjoyable and riveting to the end, and A Thing of Beauty is certainly no exception, this is great travel writing that makes the reader a part of the adventure, and one of the most engaging and enjoyable books I’ve read this year.’ -- Pilgrim House‘A deeply humane travelogue, a beautifully written book of stories, A Thing of Beauty is a siren song for Greece and a generous and precious gift – a classical education for those of us who are bereft of one.’ -- Patrick Barkham, natural history writer and author of Wild Child‘Peter Fiennes… follows in the footsteps of Pausanias, Lord Byron and others to rediscover some of the most evocative landscapes and sites from classical myth.’ -- Argo‘Fiennes is a brilliant and generous guide through Greece. He weaves the ancient world and the modern together with intelligence and elegance… There’s a wry Sebaldian humour at work here … A Thing of Beauty is a must-read for anyone visiting Greece.’ -- Alex Preston, Observer‘A Thing of Beauty is an entertaining, erudite travelogue through Greece, both ancient and modern.’ * Foreword Reviews *‘An evocative and informative book… It’s for anyone interested in the Greek Gods and their myths, the Greek countryside and wildlife, Greek politics and history, climate change and sustainable living, whether there’s any hope in the world today… and just how many Greek salads can one man eat? If you’re interested in more than one of those topics, it’s definitely the book for you.’ * Greece Travel Secrets *‘Fiennes sets out to explore the birthplace of Western civilization, Greece, in search of Hope… It’s a highly personal travelogue…with the historical and modern-day detail that late British travel writer Jan Morris might bring to the task.’ -- Booklist, starred review‘Passionate and lyrical’ * Publishers Weekly *‘An enjoyable journey through Greek myths and modernity in [Fiennes’s] search for hope, beauty and new understanding of our world.’ * Choice Magazine *‘In A Thing of Beauty, myths are not presented as dust-covered artefacts but vibrant, living, often frightening things that, like Greek gods, still affect and manipulate our lives. The quest that Peter Fiennes undertakes is of urgent relevance in this time of environmental change. Startling, informative and often very funny.’ -- Nick Hunt, author of Outlandish‘Fiennes is a talent and an important voice. His search for hope in the stories of the past feels vital for these times.’ -- Rob Cowen, author of Common Ground‘A Thing of Beauty is such a joy. Peter Fiennes invites us to travel with him to visit the ancient Oracle at Delphi as he searches for hope while the pre-vaccine pandemic is at its height and the wild fires rage. Self-deprecating, funny, deeply knowledgeable about Greek mythology, yet simultaneously confronting the challenges that face our world head-on, Fiennes is a most delightful travelling companion.’ -- Katharine Norbury, author of The Fish Ladder and editor of Women on Nature

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Book SynopsisWhat were the twelve labours of Herakles? Why did Zeus turn himself into a shower of gold? What was the name of the guard-dog of the Underworld? Which two-faced Roman god gave his name to the month January? What is the answer to the riddle of the Sphinx? The myths of ancient Greece and Rome are the most dramatic and unforgettable tales of love, war, heroism and betrayal ever told. Whether it's Ikaros flying too close to the sun, Prometheus stealing fire from the gods or the tragedy of Oedipus, their characters have inspired art, literature, plays and films, and constellations named after them fill the night sky. But how much do you really know about them? From the clash of the Titans to the fall of Troy, here are the greatest legends of all time, brilliantly retold by classical scholar Jenny March. All the heroes, monsters, villains, gods and goddesses of classical civilization are included; the epic journeys of Odysseus and Aeneas; the founding of Athens and Rome; the quests of JasoTable of ContentsThe Penguin Book of Classical MythsList of PlatesList of IllustrationsMapsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Creation2. The Gods3. The First Humans4. The Quest for the Golden Fleece5. Io and Argos6. Heroes and Monsters7. Herakles8. Theseus, Athens and Crete9. The Theban Saga10. The Trojan War11. Odysseus and his Odyssey12. The House of Pelops13. Dangerous Women14. Aeneas and the Destiny of Rome15. The Foundation of Rome16. Metamorphoses17. Myths of Love and DeathSelect BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisBuilding on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, Classical Mythology, International Tenth Edition, is the most comprehensive survey of classical mythology available. Featuring the authors'' clear and extensive translations of original sources, it brings to life the myths and legends of Greece and Rome in a lucid and engaging style. The text contains a wide variety of faithfully translated passages from Greek and Latin sources, including Homer, Hesiod, all the Homeric Hymns, Pindar, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Herodotus, Plato, Lucian, Lucretius, Vergil, Ovid, and Seneca. Acclaimed authors Mark P.O. Morford and Robert J. Lenardon-- joined by new coauthor Michael Sham--incorporates a dynamic combination of poetic narratives and enlightening commentary to make the myths come alive for students. Offering historical and cultural background on the myths (including evidence from art and archaeology) they also provide ample interpretive material and examine the enduring survivTable of ContentsMaps, Figures, and "Myth and Culture" ; Preface ; About the Authors ; About the Website ; PART ONE ; THE MYTHS OF CREATION: THE GODS ; 1 Interpretation and Definition of Classical Mythology ; Appendix to Chapter 1: Sources for Classical Mythology ; 2 Historical Background of Greek Mythology ; 3 Myths of Creation ; 4 Zeus' Rise to Power: The Creation of Mortals ; Appendix to Chapter 4: Parallels in Myths of Greece and the Ancient Near East ; 5 The Twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, and Their Children ; 6 The Nature of the Gods and Greek Religion ; 7 Poseidon, Sea Deities, Group Divinities, and Monsters ; 8 Athena ; 9 Aphrodite and Eros ; 10 Artemis ; Additional Reading: Euripides' Hippolytus ; 11 Apollo ; Additional Reading: The Homeric Hymn to Pythian Apollo ; 12 Hermes ; 13 Dionysus, Pan, Echo, and Narcissus ; 14 Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries ; 15 Views of the Afterlife: The Realm of Hades ; 16 Orpheus and Orphism: Mystery Religions in Roman Times ; PART TWO ; THE GREEK SAGAS ; Introduction to the Greek Sagas ; 17 The Theban Saga ; 18 The Mycenaen Saga ; Additional Reading: Orestes and the Three Electras ; 19 The Trojan Saga and the Iliad ; Appendix to Chapter 19: Meleager and the Calydonian Boar Hunt ; 20 The Returns and the Odyssey ; 21 Perseus and the Legends of Argos ; Appendix: Bellerophon and the Chimera ; 22 Heracles ; 23 Theseus and the Legends of Attica ; 24 Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts ; Additional Reading: Jason and Medea in Euripides ; PART THREE ; THE NATURE OF ROMAN MYTHOLOGY ; 25 Greek Mythology in the Roman World ; 26 Roman Mythology and Saga ; PART FOUR ; THE SURVIVAL OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY ; 27 Classical Mythology in Literature ; 28 Classical Mythology in Music, Dance, and Film ; Glossary of Mythological Words and Phrases in English ; The Greek Spelling of Names ; Indexes ; A. Index of Authors, Composers, and Titles I-1 ; B. Glossary/Index of Mythological and Historical Persons, Places, and Subjects I-13 ; Color Plates 1-9 follow page ; Color Plates 10-20 follow page

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Book SynopsisAll you need to know about Greek Myths concerning the Trojan War.

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Book SynopsisAll you need to know about Greek Myths concerning the Trojan War.

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Book SynopsisHow Delphi was chosen by Apollo - The centre of the world marked by the Omphalos - similarity between, Apollo killing the dragon and Sir George, Delam under Christianity.

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Book SynopsisThe temple of Aphrodite on Acrocorinth. Sr. Paul's time in Corinth - What did he knew about Aphrodite? The temple of Apollo. Sr. Paul's peltens to the Corinthians expressing his anxiety.

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Book SynopsisGreek origins of drama

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Book SynopsisThis book opens up a new perspective on Aristophanic drama and its relationship to Greek religion. It focuses on the comedy Wealth, whose fantasy of universal enrichment is structured upon a rich and largely unexplored framework of traditional stories of Greek religious experiences, such as oracles, miracle cures, and the introduction of new gods. The book examines the form and function of these stories, and explores how the playwright adapts them for his own comic purposes, grounding his comic fantasy on stories of philanthropic divinities who dependably respond to the needs of their worshippers. The collaboration of these deities, who act in tandem with their worshippers, achieves the comic fantasy. Francisco Barrenechea also addresses the larger question of how comedy participated in the religion of its time by imagining and dramatizing beliefs, and reveals the salutary bond that can exist between humor and religion in general.Trade Review'Barrenechea's book will make you change your mind. Barrenechea has chosen as a touchstone of his deep analysis the relationship between comedy and religion, scrutinized through three significant elements of the story, namely divination, incubation, and epiphany.' Simone Beta, Religious Studies ReviewTable of Contents1. Numinous wealth; 2. An Apollonian beginning; 3. A healing story; 4. A household shrine; 5. A new god arrives; Conclusion: comic miracles.

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Book SynopsisThe heroines of Greek tragedy presented in the plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides have long captivated audiences and critics. In this volume each of the eleven chapters discusses one of the heroines: Clytemnestra, Hecuba, Medea, Iphigenia, Alcestis, Antigone Electra, Deianeira, Phaedra, Creusa and Helen. The book focuses on characterisation and the motivations of the women, as well as on those of the male playwrights, and offers multiple viewpoints and critiques that enable readers to understand the context of each play and form their own views. Four core themes bridge the depictions of the heroines: the socio-political dynamic of ancient Greek expectations of women and their roles in society, the conflict of masculinity versus femininity, the alternation of defiance and submission, and the interplay between deceit and rhetoric. Each chapter offers clear descriptions of plot and mythical background, and builds on the text of the plays to enable reflections on language and Trade ReviewA well-structured, clear and accessible book for researchers new to classics along with drama or classics students from A-Level beyond. * Classics for All *This book will be helpful for students who have never read a Greek play and help them identify major themes and interpretative problems. It provides necessary background information and stimulating questions for further study. -- Mary R. Lefkowitz, Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities Emerita, Wellesley College, USA[W]e are lucky to have at our disposal R.’s new textbook, which we can now add to the list of pedagogical tools available for use in various courses on women and gender in antiquity, or to introductory courses on Greek literature and tragedy. * The Classical Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Clytemnestra 2. Electra 3. Iphigenia 4. Antigone 5. Helen 6. Hecuba 7. Alcestis 8. Deianeira 9. Medea 10. Creusa 11. Phaedra Conclusion Glossary of Name and Terms Alphabetical List of Discussed Tragedies Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisDating from around the 8th century BC, The Iliad is a prime example of an epic narrative poem and is one of Western literature''s oldest works. It tells the story of the weeks during the Trojan war when King Agamemnon and the hero warrior Achilles were at loggerheads. With dramatic flashbacks to previous events during the war and, allusions to what is to come, The Iliad provides an almost complete overview of the events of the Trojan War. Written originally in Homeric Greek, it has been translated numerous times and into many different languages.This edition features a striking graphic cover design, bringing the classic work to new readers.

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Book Synopsis'A page-turning retelling . . . so interesting and thought-provoking' JENNIFER SAINT'A fresh and original take on the myth of Perseus . . . I was gripped by the human drama at the novel's heart' ELODIE HARPERMyth remembers Perseus as one of its greatest heroes. A slayer of monsters. A rescuer of damsels.But the women who knew him best have a different story to tell. His mother, Danae.His trophy, Medusa.His wife, Andromeda.As Perseus becomes obsessed with the promise of his own destiny, his heroic journey casts a shadow of violence and destruction across all three women's lives.It takes strength to survive a legend. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Saint, Elodie Harper and Natalie Haynes, author of Daughters of Sparta Claire Heywood returns with an imaginative reinterpretation of the myth of the great hero Perseus, bringing to life the voices of three women who are side-lined in the traditional version, and whose stories reveal a man who might not, in fact, be a hero at all.Readers LOVE The Shadow of Perseus:'I absolutely adored this book, I devoured it.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The book is a real page turner.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This was such a compelling and wonderful read! I genuinely loved every minute of this book and cannot recommend it highly enough!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A beautifully written, unique, approach to the myth of Perseus. Just gripping' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A masterful voice in the popular new wave of feminist reworkings of Greek mythology . . . A must-read for fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'As someone who loves Greek Mythology retelling, I absolutely loved reading this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade ReviewHeywood tells her story vividly, setting it convincingly in the period * Sunday Times on Daughters of Sparta *A fresh and original take on the myth of Perseus . . . I was gripped by the human drama at the novel's heart. -- Elodie HarperA beautifully woven tale, Heywood triumphantly reclaims the stories of three of Greek Mythology's most deserving women. With brilliant, confident writing, The Shadow of Perseus has illuminated the stories of ladies too often relegated to the role of villain or damsel. -- Claire M. Andrews, author of the Daughters of Sparta trilogyRe-energizes the Perseus myth . . . By re-interpreting the familiar characters in human terms, Claire Heywood gives new life and a startling new perspective to an old tale. Original and engrossing -- Margaret George, bestselling author of Helen Of Troy

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the hero-cults of Sparta on the basis of the archaeological and literary sources. Nicolette Pavlides explores the local idiosyncrasies of a pan-Hellenic phenomenon, which itself can help us understand the place and function of heroes in Greek religion. Although it has long been noted that hero-cult was especially popular in Sparta, there is little known about the cults, both in terms of material evidence and the historical context for their popularity. The evidence from the cult of Helen and Menelaos at the Menelaion, the worship of Agamemnon and Alexandra/Kassandra, the Dioskouroi, and others who remain anonymous to us, is viewed as a local phenomenon reflective of the developing communal and social consciousness of the polis. What is more, through an analysis of the typology of cults, it is concluded that in Sparta, the boundaries of the divine/heroic/mortal were fluid, which allowed a great variation in the expression of cults. The votive patterns, topography, and architectural evidence permit an analysis of the kinds of offerings to hero-cults and an evaluation of the architecture that housed such cults. Due to the material and spatial distribution of the votive deposits, it is argued that Sparta had a large number of hero shrines scattered throughout the polis, which attests to an enthusiastic and long-lasting local votive practice at a popular level.Trade ReviewPavlides skilfully combines archaeological, epigraphic and literary evidence to provide a detailed presentation of the role which hero cult – ranging from anonymous heroes to Helen, Menelaus and the Dioscuri – played in the lives of Spartan men, women and children * Philip John Victor Davies, Assistant Professor in Ancient Greek History, University of Nottingham, UK *Table of ContentsList of Figures Acknowledgments Abbreviations Map Introduction Setting the stage: the Archaic period Book structure Chapter 1: Early Heroes and Hero Cult Chapter 2: Heroic Sites in Sparta: The Archaeological Evidence Chapter 3: The Hero Shrines: Votives, Architectural Evidence, Topography Chapter 4: Heroes and Immortality Chapter 5: Honouring the Dead Chapter 6: Burials and Hero Cult: Three Case Studies Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisHuman Transgression – Divine Retribution analyses pagan concepts of religious transgressions, how they should be regarded and punished, as expressed in Greek cultic regulations from the 5th century BC to the 3rd century AD. Also considered are the so-called propitiatory inscriptions (often referred to as ‘confession inscriptions’) from the 1st to the 3rd century AD Lydia and Phrygia, in light of ‘cultic morality’, an ideal code of behaviour intended to make places, occasions, and worshippers suitable for ritual. This code is on the one hand associated with ‘purity’ (hagneia) and removal of pollution (miasma) caused by deaths, births and sexuality, and on the other with the protection of sacred property. This study seeks to explain the emphasis of divine punishments in the Lydian and Phrygian inscriptions, while rare in most Greek cultic regulations, as part of a continuum within pagan religion rather than as a result of an absolute division between Greek and Oriental religion.Table of ContentsForeword ; Part 1. Introduction and Aims of the Study ; Chapter 1. Introduction ; Chapter 2. Aims of the study ; Part 2. The Propitiatory Inscriptions ; Chapter 3. The Propitiatory Inscriptions and their Religious Context ; Chapter 4. Earlier Research on the Propitiatory Inscriptions ; Part 3. Religious Transgressions and Punishments ; Chapter 5. Greek Cultic Morality ; Chapter 6. Prohibitions and Punishments in Greek Cultic Regulations ; Chapter 7. Transgressions in the Propitiatory Inscriptions ; Part 4. Conclusions ; Chapter 8. Conclusions ; Part 5. Appendices, Bibliography and Index Of Citation ; Appendix A: Cultic Regulations ; Appendix B: Propitiatory Inscriptions ; Bibliography ; Index of Citations

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisExploring Greek Myth offers an extensive discussion of variant forms of myths and lesser-known stories, including important local myths and local versions of PanHellenic myths. Clark also discusses approaches to understanding myths, allowing students to gain an appreciation of the variety in one volume.Trade Review“This volume admirably achieves Clark’s goal of bridging “the gap between the introductory books and the scholarly studies. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.” (Choice, 1 October 2012)Table of ContentsList of Illustrations vii Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii Chapter One: The Knife Did It 1Definitions and Characteristics for the Study of Myth Chapter Two: Six Hundred Gods 15Greek Myth and Greek Religion Chapter Three: Homer’s Beauty Pageant 30The Traditions of Myth Chapter Four: Pelops’ Shoulder 43Sources for the Study of Myth Chapter Five: Ikaros’ Wings, Aktaion’s Dogs 54Myth and Meaning Chapter Six: The Bones of Orestes 68Heroes in Myth and Society Chapter Seven: Born from the Earth 80Founders of Cities and Families Chapter Eight: The Judgment of Paris 97Comparative Myth Chapter Nine: Boys in Dresses, Brides with Beards 111Myth and Gender Chapter Ten: Agamemnon’s Mask? 126Myth and History Chapter Eleven: Orestes on Trial 140Myth and Thought Chapter Twelve: Plato and the Poets 154Philosophy and Myth Chapter Thirteen: Conclusion 168 Notes 171 References 179 Index 187

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Book SynopsisIn Hellenismos, Tony Mierzwicki shows how to bring back ancient Greek religion in all of its primal glory. Recreate the practices of the Greeks and enjoy the richness of their spiritual rites. Includes history, heroes, festival observances, and ways to integrate reconstruction into your practice.

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Book SynopsisThis unique and entertaining travel guide to Greek waters recreates parts of voyages undertaken in myth, anchoring off landmarks or ports associated with ancient legends. It follows the trails of Odysseus, Hercules, and Jason and the Argonauts, as well as visiting the sites where Poseidon lost his trident (off Paxos) and built his temple (on the Saronic Gulf), the cliff where Theseus's father threw himself to his death after fearing his son had been killed by the minotaur, and Troy, the remains of which survive as a reminder of the city that withstood a 10-year siege.With almost 6,000 islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, Greece is a maritime nation like no other and according to its mythology this has been the case since the days when seafarers believed their fortunes, good or ill, lay in the hands of Poseidon. Sailing through these crystal clear waters today is a voyage into history, whether true or legendary.Retelling all the myths, from the very well-known to the less familiar, <Trade ReviewA highly entertaining book… the legends are vividly and hilariously retold and lead so appealingly from one destination to another that one wants to begin plotting the co-ordinates immediately. * Yachting Monthly *Story driven as well as informative…wonderfully readable even if one isn’t heading to the Med any time soon. * Yachting Monthly *Entertaining cruising companion to Greek waters…including stunning colour photography…and packed with useful and practical pointers for pilotage and passage planning. * Powerboat & RIB Magazine *Mythical tales and beautiful pictures of romantic ruins are complemented by practical advice on matters such as navigation and mooring. This beautifully presented book provides some much-needed escapism and a reminder of how important seafaring has been through the ages. * Nautilus Telegraph *The book is filled with photography and useful and practical pointers for pilotage and passage-planning, including prevailing winds and anchorages, so you too can voyage through the world of monsters and hereos. * Classic Boat magazine *Beautifully and profusely illustrated... Impressively informative and exceptional in both organization and presentation * Midwest Book Review *

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Book SynopsisWhat is the difference between a ghost and a ghoul? How do you tell a good Jinn from a bad one? Where would you find a chimera or a manticore? What did Herodotus have to say about werewolves? In this enchanting little book, television producer and mythozoologist Tam OMalley explores the rich world of mythological animals, from banshees to harpies, griffins to vampires. These ancient beasties still intrigue us today, filling popular novels, screens and imaginations. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 The Banshee 2 Basilisk and Cockatrice 4 Blemmyae and Sciapods 6 Centaurs and Satyrs 8 Chimera 10 Cyclopes 12 Dragons and Wormes 14 Fairies, Elves, Goblins, Pixies and Gnomes 16 Ghouls 18 The Gorgons 20 The Griffin 22 Harpies and Sirens 24 Hydra and Cerberus 26 Jinn 28 Lamassu and Manticore 30 Leviathan, and Kraken 32 Mandrakes and Dryads 34 Mermaids and Fishmen 36 The Minotaur 38 Nagas and Naiads 40 The Phoenix 42 The Sphinx 44 Trolls 46 Typhon 48 Unicorns 50 Vampires 52 Werewolves and Anubis 54 Living Myths 56 Modern Myths 58

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Book SynopsisThe Derveni Papyrus, discovered accidentally in 1962, is the oldest known European book. Papers in Poetry as Initiation address many open questions about the papyrus, including its authorship, the context of the peculiar chthonic ritual described in the text, and the relationship of the author and the ritual to the so-called Orphic texts.

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Book SynopsisRosa Andújar is Deputy Director and Lecturer in Liberal Arts at King's College London, UK. She has co-edited two volumes which address her research expertise in ancient Greek tragedy and its modern reception: Paths of Song: The Lyric Dimension of Greek Tragedy (2018) and Greeks and Romans on the Latin American Stage (2020).Luis Alfaro is a Chicano writer/performer known for his work in poetry, theatre, short stories, performance and journalism. Alfaro held a six-season tenure as the Mellon Playwright-in-Residence at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2013-2019). He was a member of the Playwright's Ensemble at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre (2013-2020). Alfaro is the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, popularly known as a genius grant, presented to people who have demonstrated expertise and exceptional creativity in their respective fields. Alfaro is a Joyce Foundation Fellow. In 2019, Alfaro was awarded the PEN America/Laura Pels IntTrade ReviewIn these plays, Luis brilliantly transplants Sophocles’s Electra and Oedipus and Euripides’s Medea into the modern-day streets of Los Angeles and New York. In doing so, he gives voice to the rich, complex lives of the Chicanx and Latinx communities and neighborhoods that he knows and loves. This book is a must-own for any student and lover of contemporary, American plays. * LA Review of Books *A Bloomsbury translation: In this way, the entire book constitutes more than a simple collection of Alfaro's plays. Each of the sections of the anthology reiterates the creation of an archive ... Andújar's work thus contributes to the preservation of the memory of these communities which have turned to the theatre as a venue through which to tell and connect their own stories with other cultures, geographies and temporalities, constantly and necessarily crossing all kinds of borders. * Latin American Theatre Review *Andújar not only offers a richly annotated introduction at the beginning of this volume: each of the three plays also begins with a separate introduction that contextualizes the dramatic work in a way that is both enthralling and enlightening … A must-read for any student and fan of contemporary theatre. And for those of us who have a particular love of Chicanx and Latinx drama, this volume will bring immeasurable reading pleasure and enlightenment. * La Bloga *From the opening scene, the cultural combination is intoxicating … A fascinating trilogy. * British Theatre Guide *Equipped with Andújar’s excellent introduction to Alfaro’s work generally and to each adaptation, plus a production history and interview with Alfaro, this book not only makes the scripts of three very successful plays available for the first time for everyone, but also presents a unique and fascinating way of engaging with the ancient Greek dramas of which Alfaro’s plays are adaptations. * Skenè: Journal of Theatre and Drama Studies *A welcome addition to the bookshelves of those with an interest in the afterlives of Athenian tragedy ... The volume as a whole exemplifies the way in which collaboration between academics and practitioners enhances classical reception studies: this reviewer would be delighted to see more contemporary classical reception texts being given similar treatment. * Greece & Rome *Table of ContentsEditor’s Acknowledgements List of Illustrations 1. Luis Alfaro’s Griego Drama: An Introduction 2. Electricidad: A Chicanx Tragedy between Family and Feminism 3. Electricidad 4. Blind Love and the Chains of Destiny: Oedipus el Rey 5. Oedipus el Rey 6. Mojada: Dramatizing Latinx Migrations 7. Mojada 8. Production History 9. Glossary 10. Interview with Luis Alfaro 11. Further Reading

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Book SynopsisKae Tempest is one of the most exciting and innovative performers to have emerged in spoken-word poetry in many years; their dramatic poem Brand New Ancients won the prestigious Ted Hughes Prize for innovation in poetry. Tempest’s wholly unique blend of street poetry, rap and storytelling - combined with the spellbinding delivery of an open-air revivalist - has won them legions of followers all over the UK. Tempest's remarkable stage presence is wholly audible in this poem, a spoken story written to be told with live music.Brand New Ancients is the tale of two families and their intertwining lives, set against the background of the city and braided with classical myth. Here, Tempest shows how the old myths still live on in our everyday acts of violence, bravery, sacrifice and love - and that our lives make tales no less dramatic and powerful than those of the old gods.Trade Reviewbreathe[s] new life into old classic forms . . . a long poem about us and the gods that's all high-kicking verve and long-range understanding. I loved its vision, powerful and merciful. -- Ali Smith, Books of the Year * Observer *

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Book SynopsisThe Middle Helladic period has received little attention, partially because of scholars'' view of it as merely the prelude to the Mycenaean period and partially because of the dearth of archaeological evidence from the period. In this book, Helène Whittaker demonstrates that Middle Helladic Greece is far more interesting than its material culture might at first suggest. Whittaker comprehensively reviews and discusses the archaeological evidence for religion on the Greek mainland, focusing on the relationship between religious expression and ideology. The book argues that religious beliefs and rituals played a significant role in the social changes that were occurring at the time. The arguments and conclusions of this book will be relevant beyond the Greek Bronze Age and will contribute to the general archaeological debate on prehistoric religion.Trade Review'Whittaker's volume on Middle Bronze Age religion is a very welcome contribution to the field on two counts: it will serve as a valuable corrective to outdated views of [Middle Helladic] culture, and it will provide a foundation for our growing understanding of Helladic religion and its development.' Susan Lupack, European Journal of ArchaeologyTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. The formation of the Middle Helladic period; 3. Religion and society in the Middle Helladic period; 4. The transition from the Middle to the Late Bronze Age; 5. Religion and society in the Late Helladic period; Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisStories about dragons, serpents, and their slayers make up a rich and varied tradition within ancient mythology and folklore. In this sourcebook, Daniel Ogden presents a comprehensive and easily accessible collection of dragon myths from Greek, Roman, and early Christian sources. Some of the dragons featured are well known: the Hydra, slain by Heracles; the Dragon of Colchis, the guardian of the golden fleece overcome by Jason and Medea; and the great sea-serpent from which Perseus rescues Andromeda. But the less well known dragons are often equally enthralling, like the Dragon of Thespiae, which Menestratus slays by feeding himself to it in armor covered in fish-hooks, or the lamias of Libya, who entice young men into their striking-range by wiggling their tails, shaped like beautiful women, at them. The texts are arranged in such a way as to allow readers to witness the continuity of and evolution in dragon stories between the Classical and Christian worlds, and to understand the genTrade ReviewAn exacting overview of serpentine lore in word and illustration, this sourcebook by Ogden .. applies the author's considerable expertise to differentiation of sources of monsters, dragon-slaying episodes, and their conclusions ... Recommended. * M.E. Snodgrass, CHOICE *Table of ContentsDedication ; Acknowledgements ; List of Figures ; Abbreviations ; Quick Key to Some Special Terms and Conventions Used in this Book ; Introduction ; Schema of motifs ; PART ONE: THE CLASSICAL DRAGON ; i. The Genealogy of the Great Dragons ; ii. Typhon, Slain by Zeus ; iii. Python, Slain by Apollo ; iv. Heracles' Dragons (i): Baby Heracles and the Dragon-pair Sent by Hera ; v. Heracles' Dragons (ii): the Hydra ; vi. Heracles' Dragons (iii): Ladon, the Dragon of the Hesperides ; vii. Heracles' Dragons (iv): Cerberus, the Hound of Hades ; viii. The Chimaera, Slain by Bellerophon ; ix. Medusa, Slain by Perseus ; x. Lamia, Slain by Eurybatus and Others ; xi. The Dragon of Ares, Slain by Cadmus ; xii. The Dragon of Nemea, Slain by the Seven against Thebes ; xiii. The Dragon of Colchis, Slain or Put to Sleep by Jason and Medea ; xiv. The Dragon-pair Sent against Laocoon and his Sons ; xv. The Dragon of the River Bagrada, Slain by Regulus and his Army ; xvi. Some Unique Dragon-slaying and Dragon-averting Narratives in Later Greek Sources ; xvii. The Sea-monster of Troy, Slain by Heracles ; xviii. The Sea-Serpent of Ethiopia, Slain by Perseus ; xix. Scylla, Slain by Heracles and Encountered by Odysseus ; PART TWO: THE CHRISTIAN DRAGON ; xx. The Serpents of the Bible and its Apocrypha ; xxi. The Dragons of the Early Hagiographical Tradition ; xxii. St Philip, the Echidna and the Ophianoi ; xxiii. St Silvester and the Dragon of Rome ; xxiv. Saintly Tales Originating between the Fourth and Sixth Centuries AD ; xxv. Saintly Tales of the Central Medieval Period ; xxvi. St Patrick and St George ; APPENDICES ; Appendix A: World-foundational Dragon-slaying Tales from the Ancient Near East and India ; Appendix B: Germanic Dragon fights of the eighth to thirteenth centuries AD ; Appendix C: A Selection of Dragon- and Serpent-slaying Tales of Folkloric Interest ; List of Editions Used ; References ; Source Index ; General Index

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Book SynopsisA Journey Through Greek Mythology is a guidebook intended to accompany students in an introductory Greek mythology course. It serves as a practical and versatile introduction to the study of the major Greek gods and heroes and lays the groundwork for an exploration of the representation, interpretation, and influence of the classical Greek myths.A Journey Through Greek Mythology: offers an opportunity for students to investigate how archetypal figures and narratives emerge in Greek mythology. encourages students to discover how the Greek myths continue to influence our contemporary culture today. introduces and explains key terms, motifs, and themes within each chapter topic. features a self-quiz, bibliographic sources, and example boxes in each chapter. Table of Contents Preface to the Second Edition Preface: How to Use This Guidebook MODULE ONE Introduction: Understanding Myth Resources for Module One MODULE TWO Cosmogonies and Theogonies Upstarts: Prometheus and Pandora The Olympian Circle Resources for Module Two MODULE THREE First Couple: Zeus and Hera Tough Guys: Poseidon, Ares, and Apollo Gods on the Edge: Hermes and Dionysus Resources for Module Three MODULE FOUR Blonde Ambition: Aphrodite Natural Women: Artemis, Demeter, and Persephone Grrrl Power: Athena and the Amazons Cinder-gods: Hestia and Hephaestus Resources for Module Four MODULE FIVE Tales of the Deep Blue Sea Acts of Hubris: Punishment Myths Features and Creatures of the Underworld Dying and Rising Gods: Orpheus Resources for Module Five MODULE SIX The Archetypal Hero Herakles Jason and the Argonauts Resources for Module Six MODULE SEVEN The Trojan Saga A New Hero: Odysseus Resources for Module Seven Greek Mythology: Exam I Greek Mythology: Exam II Glossary Index

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