Ancient religions and Mythologies Books

Book SynopsisStep into a world of gods, heroes and monstersThroughout history, mythologies have been fundamental to societies and cultures across the world. They are the collected stories of a people - the fascinating folk tales and the epic legends that shape the history and the beliefs of whole civilizations.This pocket guide offers readers an engaging and accessible introduction to the major world mythologies, exploring their origins, foundational stories and key mythological figures.Learn how the Greeks won the ten-year Trojan war, how the Norse god Thor got his mighty hammer, and why the Aztecs made a daily human sacrifice to the sun god, Huitzilopochtli.If you're looking to enrich and expand on your understanding of world history, religion and culture, then this book is an ideal starting point to fill your mind with stories of wisdom and wonder.Discover the captivating stories behind the following mythologies: Aboriginal, Aztec, Celtic, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Hindu, Incan, Japanese, Maori, Mayan, Mesopotamian, Norse, Roman.

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. Legends of the Sea, Bells, Mirrors and Tea, Japanese mythology is delightful and enigmatic, full of spirits, gods and legendary creatures. It draws on Buddhist and Shinto traditions to explain the nature of the world of the island of Japan, the mystical Mount Fuji and the heavenly status of the long line of emperors. The warrior class of the imperial court, and the natural spirits of the countryside represent parallel and interdependent aspects of Japanese society, explored through ancient legend and folklore. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. From such texts as the Shah Nameh (the Persian Book of Kings), Masnavi-e Ma’navi, the Anvar-i Suhayli fables and works by the great poet Nizāmī, come ancient tales of a civilization that once stretched across the known world. Find here the wonderful stories of the magical bird the Simurgh, the Seven Labours of Rustem, the evil demon onager-giant Akwán Díw and the tragic romance of Laili and Majnun. Persian literature is amongst the most beautiful and inventive of all cultures, offering a joyful read of creation, love and conquest. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisReaders can discover all the foul facts about the ANGRY AZTECS, fromwhy the Aztecs liked to eat scum and all about their horriblehabit of drinking wine with live toads in. With a bold, accessiblenew look and a heap of extra-horrible bits, these bestsellingtitles are sure to be a huge hit with yet another generation of TerryDeary fans.

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Book SynopsisWhen a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain from Arthurian myth back from the dead, retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire pulls her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, a museum curator, into a world of magic and mysticism to defeat a legendary threat. Now the two must navigate the complicated history of the McGuire family, all while combating the deadly secrets of England’s past that threaten its very future. New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars) and Russ Manning Award-winning artist Dan Mora (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Klaus) explore the mysteries of the past, the complicated truths of our history and the power of family to save the day…especially if that family has secret bunkers of ancient weapons and decades of experience hunting the greatest monsters in Britain’s history! Collects Once & Future #1-6.

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. With its powerful tradition of storytelling, the myths of the continent of Africa have survived colonialism and slavery, bringing together a rich diversity of cultures from Ethiopia to Tanzania, from the Xhosa people to the Yoruba. This collection offers tales of the gods, creation stories, trickster adventures, animal fables and stories which amuse and teach from 'The Tortoise and the Elephant', from the Akamba of Kenya, to 'Why the Moon Waxes and Wanes', from Southern Nigeria, providing an insight into the boundless and vibrant world of African myth. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisA work of scientific and philosophical inquiry, in which, the authors track world myths to a common origin in early man's descriptions of cosmological activity, arguing that these remnants of ancient astronomy, suppressed by the Greeks and Romans and then forgotten, were really a form of pre-literate science.Trade Review"A book wonderful to read and startling to contemplate. If this theory is correct, both the history of science and the reinterpretation of myths have been enriched immensely." (Washington Post Book World)

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. India, one of the great, ancient civilizations, spawned a fascinating canon of myths and legends. With multiple gods, and a riot of colour and character, this fantastic new book, Indian Myths & Legends, explores the themes and landscapes that created the tales, and reveals the boundless energy that brought us the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, retelling the stories of Krishna, Buddha and Shiva, and some of the many different versions of creation. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisThis volume is full of exercises, meditations and discussion questions about Paganism for group or individual study. The text explores how the Pagan sacred year is arranged; what Pagans do in ritual; what magic is; and what Pagans believe about God, worship, human nature and ethics.

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Book SynopsisShamanism begins as a personal revelation and inner healing, then evolves into a striving for balance and healing into the Earth itself. Many spiritual seekers are interested in shamanism because it is a spiritual path that can be followed in conjunction with any religion or other spiritual belief without conflict. Shamanism has not only been practised by Native Americans and African cultures - for centuries, it was practised by the Europeans, including the Celts. This text presents a workable, modern form of Celtic shamanism that should help raise the reader's spiritual awareness. The book offers specific exercises and techniques to develop spiritual awareness and ties with the natural world: shape-shifting; divination by the Celtic Ogham alphabet; Celtic shamanic tools; travelling to and using magick in the three realms of the Celtic otherworlds; empowering the self; and journeying through meditation.

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Book SynopsisLearn about the primal beliefs to the world''s great faiths in The Religions Book.Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Religions in this overview guide to the subject, brilliant for beginners looking to learn and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Religions Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Religions, with:- Each of the world''s five major faiths - Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism in its own, dedicated section- Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts- A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout- Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of undTrade ReviewFascinating material, well presented -- Jon Sutton * The Psychologist (Review of The Psychology Book) *

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Book SynopsisVesper and Aster need Excalibur to save the day. They must journeythrough the enchanted realm of Camelot, with King Arthur and hisloyal knights to help them on their quest. But will they returnin time to defeat the daemons vying to rule the world?

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Book SynopsisThe centuries between 800 and 300 BC saw an explosion of new religious concepts. Their emergence is second only to man's harnessing of fire in fundamentally transforming our understanding of what it is to be human. But why did Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, Jeremiah, Lao Tzu and others all emerge in this five-hundred-year span? And why do they have such similar ideas about humanity?In The Great Transformation, Karen Armstrong examines this phenomenal period and the connections between this disparate group of philosophers, mystics and theologians.Trade Review"'A remarkable history... fascinating and highly readable... profoundly relevant.' Julie Wheelwright, Independent '[Armstrong] shows a formidable grasp of sacred history and biblical scholarship.' Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, The Times 'Armstrong writes with her customary elegance and lucidity... It would be hard not to learn a lot from this substantial book.' Diarmaid MacCulloch, Guardian 'This book deserves nothing but praise.' Bryan Appleyard, Sunday Times"

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Book SynopsisA volume of unprecedented scale from one of the most respected academic and writer on comparative mythology, sumptuously illustrated throughout.

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Book SynopsisJohn Bowker was Dean of Trinity College, Cambridge from 1984 to 1991 and is currently a Fellow of Gresham College, London and Honorary Canon of Canterbury Cathedral. He is also Adjunct Professor of Religion at North Carolina State University. Professor Bowker's many books include the DK titles God: A Brief History and The Complete Bible Handbook. He lives in Cambridge.

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Book SynopsisEmbrace the Wise Woman within you.This oracle is an ode to the Wise Woman within every woman. Through storytelling from myth, folklore and contemporary tales about wise and knowledgeable feminine figures, let the Wise Woman Oracle reconnect you with She Who Knows: the healer, teacher and priestess within you who uses her understanding of her own life experiences, the natural world, and the mysteries of the universe to heal, care for and inspire herself and those around her.

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Book SynopsisAn indispensable companion to Sacred Actions that offers neopagans and Earth-based spiritual practitioners prompts for reflecting on sacred actions in the eightfold wheel of the year through writing, meditation, and creation.

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Book SynopsisAn around-the-world tour of ancient Christmas celebrations, Pagan Solstice customs, and magical seasonal plants. Whether viewed as a mid-winter observance of the Winter Solstice or a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, for millennia cultures have taken time out to honour the darkest days of the year with lights, foods, and festivities. In ancient Egypt, people decorated their homes with greenery at the festival of the re-birth of the God Horus. The ancient Romans decorated their homes with vines and ivy and shared gifts, especially candles, at the midwinter festival of Saturnalia. In Scandinavian and Germanic cultures, the Yule Log was burned in the hearth, fruit orchards were wassailed, and sheaves of wheat were displayed to carry luck into the New Year. In Celtic cultures, mummers and guisers went door to door and European mistletoe (Viscum album) was gathered by Druids as a medicinal and magical aid. Presenting an around-the-world tour of ancient Christmas celebrations, Pagan Solstice customs, and magical seasonal plants, Ellen Evert Hopman shares lore, recipes, rituals, and crafts you can make as a family activity to enliven your Yuletide observance. She explores the origins of the Christmas tree and Santa Claus, as well as female gift bringers, holiday Spirits, and Yuletide animals. She shows how to make a Yule Log and decorate your house with greenery and grain weavings. She explains how to perform Winter Solstice divinations and cook traditional foods and drinks such as Wassail and Elizabethan gingerbread cookies. And she looks in depth at the medicinal and magical properties of the many herbs, barks, and berries associated with the Christmas and Yuletide season such as Frankincense and Myrrh, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Hibiscus, Bayberry, and many more. Woven throughout with mystical seasonal lore, this guide offers practical and magical ways to celebrate and honour the darkest days of the year.Trade Review“This is so much more than an herbal book. Ellen has covered origins and meanings for this most wonderful time of year as well as including practical workings. Packed full with fascinating myth busters and a festive hamper brimming over with magical and medicinal herbs found and used at Yule. A comprehensive guide to working magic and connecting with the energy of the season. Highly recommended.” * Rachel Patterson, author of A Witch for Every Season *“Amid the swirl of seasonal tastes, smells, and colors, Ellen Evert Hopman sprinkles elves and international lore in abundance. This is a delightful culinary and medicinal reference with Pagan sensibilities. Hopman’s culinary recipes call for unusual herbs blended with humor and cautions in equal measure. My personal favorite is Fallen Oak Leaf Broth. What a treat!” * Lyrion ApTower, author of Musings & Miscellany *“Winter Solstice, Yule, the longest night, shortest day; it has for centuries been held by many as a central sacred point in time. Within it is the shared experience of coming together to share in the warmth of family and community, all yearning for the return of the light. Ellen’s book The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas is stuffed full with bits of seasonal wisdom. It is a delightful gift to take with you into the dark and cold, to help warm the heart with stories and traditions, garnishing the anticipation and participation in the joy of the holiday.” * Laura Wildman, author of What’s Your Wicca IQ? *“A mystical journey through a magical time of year, delving into traditions of old and magical rituals and rites to enrich the wonders of the winter season. The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas is a highly recommended book that adds an extra sprinkling of magic and a depth of meaning to any Yuletide celebration, gathering, or personal observance.” * Roxie J. Zwicker, author of Haunted Portsmouth and Maine Book of the Dead *“With beautiful illustrations and many recipes, The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas is packed full of historical information about the origins of these traditions. It would be a fun project to work through this book, especially with children, being at the same time educational without the boredom or misery often associated with learning.” * Luke Eastwood, author of The Druid’s Primer and coauthor of Kerry Folk Tales *“This is a very interesting book, and Ellen Evert Hopman sure knows her stuff. I recommend The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas to anyone interested in the Yuletide traditions. I have a number of her books and am looking to add this one to my collection.” * T. Sibley, Ph.D., traditional Norse practitioner and author of The Way of the Wise *“A well-developed, comprehensive, and logical presentation on the subject of herbs and seasonal celebrations for Yule and Christmas. The information is accessible for a beginner and insightful for the advanced practitioner. A well-illustrated book that can be used for both instructional and referential purposes.” * Amoric, Third-Degree Alexandrian High Priest with more than 30 years of activity in the craft commun *Table of ContentsForeword by Lucya Starza An Introduction to Yule and Herbal Magic A Primer on Herbal Preparation A Primer on Herb Magic PART ONE TRADITIONS, RITES, FOODS, AND DRINKS OF THE SEASON The Gift Bringers, Spirits, and Mystical Figures of Winter The Animals at Yule Rituals and Rites of Solstice, Yule, and Christmas A Rite for the Goddess at the Winter Solstice Christmas Traditions and Recipes from around the World Wassailing and Other Yuletide Libations PART TWO MAGICAL AND MEDICINAL HERBS OF WINTER Allspice Almond Apple Bayberry BirchBoxwood Cacao Cinnamon CloveCranberry Frankincense and MyrrhGinger Hawthorn Hibiscus Holly Hyssop Ivy JuniperLaurel Lemon Licorice MintMistletoeNutmeg Oak Orange Pine and Other ConifersPoinsettia Rosemary Star of Bethlehem Vanilla Notes Index of Recipes and ProjectsIndex of Plants by Common NameIndex of Plantsby Scientific Name General Index

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated deck is designed to empower, inspire and allow the heart of the seeker to be open to divine guidance. On your soul pilgrimage of discovery, give yourself time to reflect and contemplate each of these insightful messages for your spiritual growth and healing. Using some of the symbols from ancient Avalon wisdom, these mini cards are designed to empower, inspire, and allow the heart to be open to divine guidance. Give yourself the gift of time to reflect and contemplate on each of these messages for your spiritual growth, wellbeing and magic.

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Book SynopsisA retelling of Greek myths is combined here with a comprehensive account of the world in which the myths developed - their themes, their relevance to Greek religion and society, and their relationship to the landscape.Trade Review'A superb introduction' - The Scotsman

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Book SynopsisCicero's philosophical works are now exciting renewed interest, in part because he provides vital evidence of the views of the (largely lost) Greek philosophers of the Hellenistic age, and partly because of the light he casts on the intellectual life of first century Rome. This edition uses the 1997 Clarendon text by the acclaimed translator P.G. Walsh.Trade ReviewThe translation is both lively and accurate; the introduction is judicious and informative. The notes are especially strong on the identification of the many historical references in the work. * Phronesis *

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Book SynopsisDoris Lessing, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, invites us to imagine a mythical society free from sexual intrigue, free from jealousy, free from petty rivalries: a society free from men.An old Roman senator embarks on what may be his last endeavour: the retelling of the story of human creation. He recounts the history of the Clefts, an ancient community of women living in an Edenic, coastal wilderness, in the valley of an overshadowing mountain. The Clefts have no need, or knowledge, of men childbirth is controlled through the cycles of the moon, and their children are always female. But with the birth of a strange, new child a boy the harmony of their community is thrown into jeopardy.At first, the Clefts are awestruck by this seemingly malformed child, but as more and more of these threateningly unfamiliar males appear, they are rejected, and are exposed on the nearby mountainside, sacrificed to the patrolling eagles overhead. Unbeknownst to the Clefts, however, these baby males survive, aided by the eagles, and thrive on the other side of the mountain. It is not until a curious young Cleft named Maire goes beyond the geographical, and emotional, divide of the mountain that this disquieting fact is uncovered forcing the Clefts to accept the prospect of a now shared world, and the possible vengeance of the wronged males.In this fascinating and beguiling novel, Lessing confronts head-on the themes that inspired much of her early writing: how men and women, two similar and yet thoroughly distinct creatures, manage to live side by side in the world, and how the specifics of gender affect every aspect of our existence.Trade Review‘Lessing skilfully manipulates multiple perspectives…a bold, inventive and challenging book from a writer who continues to enlighten and astonish as she approaches her tenth decade.’ Independent 'A work of elegance, wit, humour and mystery. It may even be considered, one day, as one of her finest works…This is a deeply serious novel, but it's also humane, warm and witty…Doris Lessing, in her ninth decade, is writing fiction that is as hypnotic, perceptive and original as any wunderkind a quarter her age' Glasgow Herald ‘The author's reach continues to thrill…there's witchery in the Old She yet.’ Daily Telegraph ‘A narrative with the compelling stamp of Lessing's late tales.’ The Times ‘Doris Lessing writes movingly of the human desire for change…she conveys a powerful belief in the impermanence of any situation in which human beings find themselves and the paradoxically unchanging nature of human relations.’ Observer ‘Lessing's engaging tale is told with the simplicity of an aural history committed to memory.’ New Statesman ‘Her prose is pleasingly incantatory…the novel has a pleasing gravitational pull on a purely poetic level.’ Metro ‘Lessing writes, as ever, with such calm and assured authority…a fascinating, at times disturbing book; one can't imagine any other writer bringing it off.’ The Scotsman 'Lessing has always observed human behaviour with the dispassionate eye of a Martian naturalist…Her prose thrives on a bigness which comes from her imaginative origins on the Veld of her African childhood, and her rangy plots take vast, fast strides over the horizon, collapsing lifetimes like pocket telescopes …”The Cleft” is a return to…the Tempest-like condensation of themes that has always enlarged her work' Times Literary Supplement

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Book Synopsis''Thought-provoking and charmingly rendered.'' GuardianImagine a world where seductive male sirens lure brave heroines to their death, where Icara and her mother fly too close to the sun, and where beautiful men are forced to wed underworld queens...For thousands of years, Greek myths have been told and retold. In these stories, brutality and bravery are reserved for men, while women are wicked witches or helpless maidens. Today, these myths continue to shape our ideas about justice, tragedy and what makes a hero''s journey. Karrie and Jonathan love these stories, and have found a way to breathe new life into them by making one crucial change...Following the incredible success of Gender Swapped Fairy Tales they have taken that same simple step. They haven't rewritten the stories in this book. They haven't reimagined the endings, or reinvented characters. What they have done is switch all the genders.You'll be enchanted by t

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Book SynopsisThis deluxe edition of the world''s most beloved, bestselling classic on Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology is stunningly illustrated with specially commissioned full-color plates and a beautiful gold-bordered pages. Since its original publication in 1942, Edith Hamilton''s Mythology has sold millions of copies throughout the world and established itself as a perennial bestseller. For nearly 80 years, readers have chosenMythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes above all other books to discover the enchanting world of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology -- from Odysseus''s adventure-filled journey to Odin''s effort to postpone the final day of doom. This deluxe, hardcover edition is illustrated throughout with specially commissioned, original artwork and beautifully illustrated lineages, making it a true collector''s item.

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Book SynopsisA broad selection of more than 350 poems, blessings, prayers, poems, and dramatic readings that Pagans and Witches can incorporate into their spiritual practice

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Book SynopsisDiscover everything you’ve ever wondered about the legendary spirits, creatures, and figures of Japanese folklore including how they have found their way into every corner of our pop culture from the creator of the podcast Uncanny Japan. Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan’s folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today. From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. This gorgeous package is complete with stained edges and stunning four-color illustrations. With information on their cultural significance, a retelling of a popular tale tied to that particular yokai, and how it’s been spun into today’s popular culture, this handsome tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspire

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Book SynopsisA Gorgeous Collector's Edition of folk and fairy tales from the continent of Africa, with stories from regions now marked as modern nations such as Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, who inherit the folk and mythic tales of ancient peoples. Here you'll find stories of ogres and tricksters, riddles and poems, and great heroes of history such as Liongo. This new collection is created for the modern reader. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisCrow was Ted Hughes''s fourth book of poems for adults and a pivotal moment in his writing career. In it, he found both a structure and a persona that gave his vision a new power and coherence. A deep engagement with history, mythology and the natural world combine to forge a work of impressive and unsettling force. ''English poetry has found a new hero and nobody will be able to read or write verse now without the black shape of Crow falling across the page.'' Peter Porter

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Book Synopsis''Athena seized the writhing serpent and hurled it into the sky, and fixed it to the very pole of the heavens.'' The constellations we recognize today were first mapped by the ancient Greeks, who arranged the stars into patterns for that purpose. In the third century BC Eratosthenes compiled a handbook of astral mythology in which the constellations were associated with figures from legend, and myths were provided to explain how each person, creature, or object came to be placed in the sky. Thus we can see Heracles killing the Dragon, and Perseus slaying the sea-monster to save Andromeda; Orion chases the seven maidens transformed by Zeus into the Pleiades, and Aries, the golden ram, is identified flying up to the heavens. This translation brings together the later summaries from Eratosthenes'' lost handbook with a guide to astronomy compiled by Hyginus, librarian to Augustus. Together with Aratus''s astronomical poem the Phaenomena, these texts provide a complete collection of Greek aTrade ReviewHighly recommended. * Anna Maria Polidori, Al Femminile *A useful, inexpensive, and comprehensive vade-mecum of the mythology that surrounds the constellations * Colin Leach, Classics for All *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Few archaeologists would venture into as many regions or across as many disciplinary boundaries as David Wengrow does in his eloquent and ambition analysis."---Christina Riggs, Times Literary Supplement"The Origins of Monsters is a fascinating exposition of the archaeology of the ancient world as a topic that has current resonance. Well written and presented, wonderfully informed and confident, it is well placed to achieve Wengrow's worthy ambition to start a particular dialogue between disciplinary approaches to the topic of monsters."---Michael Punt, Leonardo Reviews

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Book SynopsisIn November 1519, Hernando Cortés walked along a causeway leading to the capital of the Aztec kingdom and came face to face with Moctezuma. That story--and the story of what happened afterwards--has been told many times, but always following the narrative offered by the Spaniards. After all, we have been taught, it was the Europeans who held the pens. But the Native Americans were intrigued by the Roman alphabet and, unbeknownst to the newcomers, they used it to write detailed histories in their own language of Nahuatl. Until recently, these sources remained obscure, only partially translated, and rarely consulted by scholars. For the first time, in Fifth Sun, the history of the Aztecs is offered in all its complexity based solely on the texts written by the indigenous people themselves. Camilla Townsend presents an accessible and humanized depiction of these native Mexicans, rather than seeing them as the exotic, bloody figures of European stereotypes. The conquest, in this work, is neither an apocalyptic moment, nor an origin story launching Mexicans into existence. The Mexica people had a history of their own long before the Europeans arrived and did not simply capitulate to Spanish culture and colonization. Instead, they realigned their political allegiances, accommodated new obligations, adopted new technologies, and endured. This engaging revisionist history of the Aztecs, told through their own words, explores the experience of a once-powerful people facing the trauma of conquest and finding ways to survive, offering an empathetic interpretation for experts and non-specialists alike.Trade ReviewIt is admirable how Townsend exploits the details of microhistory based on Native accounts to answer bigger questions, reveal meanings behind particular events, and offer the reader macro-level conclusions ... through this book we actually experience the past rather than simply read about it. It is not only convincing; it is simply captivating. Townsend has the courage to resort to "poetic license", but even then we do not lose the sense of transparency as the endnotes provide a full disclosure, informing critical readers about exact sources, possible discrepancies, uncertainties about the facts, and the source of the historian's preferred interpretation. By combining deep reading of Native sources with reexperiencing the emotions of their actors and reliving their deeds and decisions, Townsend puts into practice an ideal of historical writing. * Justyna Olko *A revolutionary history. * Ben Ehrenreich, The Guardian *Camilla Townsend has made the extraordinary happen. She has written a chronological history of the Mexica (Aztecs) from their origins into the sixteenth century relying principally on documents that they themselves generated...Camilla Townsend has provided scholars and the reading public with a wonderful history of the Mexica. By relying closely on Native texts, she has avoided the tropes normally associated with books on the precontact populations of Mexico. The writing itself is lyrical...Everyone with any interest at all in Mexico should read this work. * John F. Schwaller, Hispanic American Historical Review *Camilla Townsend's incredibly compact and helpful Fifth Sun will serve equally well professional historians, upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, and the general public. * Andrae Marak, World History Connected *This is the best book on the Aztecs yet written, full stop ... The value of Fifth Sun lies in how it rescues Aztecs and Nahuas from centuries of colonialist caricature and renders them human again - fully human, with flaws, people capable of brutal violence but also of deep love. * History Today *This wonderfully fresh, readable new work invites you to reconsider everything you think you knew about them. * Jonathan Gordon, All About History *Shows the Mexica empire in a fresh, thrilling new light. * Simon Sebag Montefiore, Aspects of History *Spanning the thirteenth to the seventeenth centuries, this book recreates key moments in the Mexica past as the Mexica themselves experienced and remembered them. We meet real men and women whose actions changed the course of history. We see time as the Mexica did, a sequence of years extending unbroken from mythic origins to intrepid migration to imperial splendor to the challenges of living with the Spanish colonial presence. Never before has the Aztecs' own epic story been so vividly and engagingly recounted for readers of English. * Louise M. Burkhart, author of Aztecs on Stage: Religious Theater in Colonial Mexico *From the initial migration southward, to the second generation after the conquest, Fifth Sun is a masterful account of the history of the Aztecs in their own words. A whole world arises from the pages: vivid, complex, and much closer to us than expected. Townsend's understanding of the indigenous annals is unmatched, and her book reads like a novel. You simply cannot put it down. * Caterina Pizzigoni, author of The Life Within: Local Indigenous Society in Mexico's Toluca Valley, 1650-1800 *Never before has the political history of the Aztecs, who knew themselves as the Mexica, been told with such sweeping élan. Townsend brings keen insight into the motivations of the players, be they seasoned warriors, shackled slaves, or calculating concubines. Her gripping narrative, underscoring Aztec tenacity and endurance before and beyond the Spanish conquest, is sure to captivate readers. * Barbara Mundy, author of The Death of Aztec Tenochtitlan, the Life of Mexico City *Camilla Townsend has an unusually profound understanding of Nahua culture, before and during the colonial period. She also has a rare set of research, linguistic, and writing skills. That combination of expertise and talent make her uniquely positioned to offer us a new book on the Aztecs, one that manages to be-despite the plethora of existing studies-both original and mandatory reading. This is a page-turner that is nonetheless packed with new insights and interpretations. * Matthew Restall, author of When Montezuma Met Cortés: The True Story of the Meeting That Changed History *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Mexica Royal Family Tree Introduction Chapter 1: Genghis Khan on Foot Chapter 2: People of the Valley Chapter 3: The City on the Lake Chapter 4: Strangers to Us People Here Chapter 5: A War to End All Wars Chapter 6: Early Days Chapter 7: Crisis: The Indians Talk Back Chapter 8: The Grandchildren Epilogue Notes Annotated Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisElla Jones is the hero the world needs when the pagan god of light,Lugh, is released from his millennium-old-prison by a shadowyvillain and, out for revenge on humans, brings darkness down on theworld. Cue chaos as everyone panics at not being able to see -apart from Ella, who is blind and used to living her life in darknessevery day.

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Book SynopsisA handbook for becoming a modern Druid. In this authentic handbook for the Celtic Druid path, Ellen Evert Hopman shares lessons, rituals, and magical techniques drawn from the ancient wisdom teachings of the Celts as well as a modern Druid Order created by the leading minds of 20th-century Celtic Reconstructionism. Hopman begins by exploring what we know about the original ancient Druids, citing Druid-contemporary sources such as Caesar and Diodorus Siculus as well as transcriptions of Druid oral teachings. She explains the basic tools and clothing of a Celtic Druid, including instructions for making the essential tools of the craft, such a Crane Bag, the Serpent Staff, and the Apple Branch, the tool used to open a Druid rite. She explores meditation techniques based on ancient texts and discusses the Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic pantheon, Druidic cosmology, and the Druidic festivals that occur throughout the turning of the year. She shares hymns to t

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Book SynopsisHave you ever seen a pixie? Really? How about a nixie? Where would you find a brownie? And who exactly is Puck? Hiding in the woods, meadows, lakes and caves of these green and pleasant lands are a multitude of little-studied folk who have evaded the course eyes and lenses of modern naturalists for years. Join Paul Johnson and Dan Goodfellow as they at last unveil the fair folk of these ancient lands, their secret ways, names and abodes. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "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.

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Book SynopsisAs long as we have been human, we have been mythmakers. In A Short History of Myth, Karen Armstrong holds up the mirror of mythology to show us the history of ourselves, and embarks on a journey that begins at a Neanderthal graveside and ends buried in the heart of the modern novel. Surprising, powerful and profound, A Short History of Myth examines the world's most ancient art form - the making and telling of stories - and why we still need it.The Myths series brings together some of the world's finest writers, each of whom has retold a myth in a contemporary and memorable way. Authors in the series include Karen Armstrong, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, David Grossman, Natsuo Kirino, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Pullman, Ali Smith and Jeanette Winterson.Trade ReviewElegantly argued and consistently thought-provoking * * Telegraph * *Witty, informative and contemplative * * New York Times * *Remarkable * * The Times * *What Armstrong does in her skid over the millennia is make comparisons, connections and contrasts in a way that cannot fail to enlighten the general reader . . . Myths are narratives: as she eloquently says, we shouldn't be done with them yet -- NICHOLAS LEZARD * * Guardian * *Valiant and readable . . . clearly and concisely written * * Independent * *With characteristic incisiveness, Armstrong explores the development of myth from prehistory to the present day * * Daily Mail * *Brilliant . . . Succinct and thoughtfully elucidated * * Elle * *Karen Armstrong is a genius -- AN WILSONKaren Armstrong is one of our most perceptive and thoughtful writers on religion -- JOHN GRAYOne of the handful of wise and supremely intelligent commentators on religion -- ALAIN DE BOTTON

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of BookAuthority’s Three Best New Robotics Audiobooks To Read in 2019"

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Book SynopsisWolkow have produced an accurate and elegant translation accompanied by rich commentary.Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionThe Orphic HymnsOrpheus to Mousaios1. To Hekate2. To Prothyraia3. To Night4. To Sky5. To Ether6. To Protogonos7. To the Stars8. To the Sun9. To Selene10. To Physis11. To Pan12. To Herakles13. To Kronos14. To Rhea15. To Zeus16. To Hera17. To Poseidon18. To Plouton19. To Zeus the Thunderbolt20. To Astrapaios Zeus21. To the Clouds22. To the Sea23. To Nereus24. To the Nereids25. To Proteus26. To Earth27. To the Mother of the Gods28. To Hermes29. Hymn to Persephone30. To Dionysos31. Hymn to the Kouretes32. To Athene33. To Nike34. To Apollon35. To Leto36. To Artemis37. To the Titans38. To the Kouretes39. To Korbas40. To Eleusinian Demeter41. To Mother Antaia42. To Mise43. To the Seasons44. To Semele45. Hymn to Dionysos Bassareus and Triennial46. To Liknites47. To Perikionios48. To Sabazios49. To Hipta50. To Lysios Lenaios51. To the Nymphs52. To the God of Triennal Feasts53. To the God of Annual Feasts54. To Silenos Satyros and Bacchae55. To Aphrodite56. To Adonis57. To Chthonic Hermes58. To Eros59. To the Fates60. To the Graces61. Hymn to Nemesis62. To Dike63. To Justice64. Hymn to Nomos65. To Ares66. To Hephaistos67. To Asklepios68. To Hygeia69. To the Erinyes70. To the Eumenides71. To Melinoe72. To Tyche73. To Daimon74. To Leukothea75. To Palaimon76. To the Muses77. To Mnemosyne78. To Dawn79. To Themis80. To Boreas81. To Zephyros82. To Notos83. To Okeanos84. To Hestia85. To Sleep86. To Dream87. To DeathNotesSelect BibliographyIndex NominumIndex Locorum

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis''Paganism'' is an evocative word that, even today, conjures up deep-seated emotions and prejudices. Until recently, it was primarily a derogatory term used by Christians to describe the non-Christian cultures confronted and vanquished by their Churches. For some it evokes images of sacrifice and barbaric behaviour, while for others it symbolises a peace-loving, nature-worshipping spiritual relationship with the earth. This Very Short Introduction explores the meaning of paganism - through a chronological overview of the attitudes towards its practices and beliefs - from the ancient world through to the present day. Owen Davies largely looks at paganism through the eyes of the Christian world, and how, over the centuries, notions and representations of its nature were shaped by religious conflict, power struggles, colonialism, and scholarship. Despite the expansion of Christianity and Islam, Pagan cultures continue to exist around the world, whilst in the West new formations of paganism constitute one of the fastest-growing religions. Focussing on paganism in Europe, but exploring the nature of paganism globally, Davies looks at how Europeans discovered new cultures through colonial expansion, missionary work, and anthropological study. Contemporary social paganism can be a liberating and social force, and the idea of a global Pagan theology is now on the religious map.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Defining Paganism ; 1. Ancient world ; 2. Paganism in retreat ; 3. Gods in the North ; 4. Pagans across the oceans ; 5. Embracing the pagan past ; 6. Return of the old gods ; Conclusion

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Book SynopsisStep into the magical realm of paganism with this enchanting beginner''s guide to the religions of oldFrom druidry and shamanism to modern witchcraft and Wicca, paganism is steeped in history, legend and ancient tradition, and is now one of the fastest-growing religions. Whether it''s the celebration of nature and its divinity, of female empowerment through the veneration of the sacred feminine, or a way to commit to climate conservation and sustainability, paganism has drawn worshippers through the ages.As well as outlining the pagan spiritual identity, including its history and development, pagan beliefs, and how the religion is practised, this beautiful book also explores:- Pagan deities and their associated folklore- The pagan calendar, including the eight festivals in the wheel of the year, what they represent and how they are celebrated- The influence of modern paganism on popular culture- How you can incorporate paganism into your own personal spiritual practiceAnd much more!

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Book SynopsisA provocative and wide-ranging entrée into the world of ancient Greek religion.Trade ReviewAlthough one might expect a mere survey from the title, Parker delivers far more than a beginners' summary. Rather, this book is a probing exploration of the methodological and interpretive difficulties associated with Greek religion from the eighth through the second centuries BCE.... This work provides a wealth of insights from one of the leading experts in the field. Summing Up: Highly recommended. * Choice *On Greek Religion has all the virtues we have come to appreciate in his writings: a fruitful blend of the factual and theoretical; a simultaneous inclination towards and distrust of categories, schemes, and generalities; scrupulous attention to detail; an awareness of what we do and do not and cannot know about Greek religion; precise and generous but not uncritical discussions of others' views; the integration of literary and epigraphical sources; common sense; and a lively style with touches of whimsy. -- Jon D. Mikalson * The Classical Journal *This book derives from the Townsend Lectures given by Parker at Cornell in 2008, but its style is not noticeably different from that of Parker's two previous books.... Its scope is wider than those two works, both chronologically, dealing with material from the eighth to the second century BC, and geographically, covering the entire Greek world. Its ambition is also greater, in that its seven chapters and five appendices aim to provide an interpretation of Greek religion as a whole.... This is a very important book that everyone working in the field of Greek religion will have to read. -- Hugh Bowden * The Journal of Hellenic Studies *This book is an important step in its author's scholarly journey in the field of ancient Greek religion.... This work is outstandingly well-informed, well-written, clever and also very cautious. -- Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *This work, derived from a series of lectures given by the author at Cornell University in 2008, offers a discussion on a series of central questions in the domain of Greek religion. R. Parker achieves his goal with much maestria in this work, which is proof of an excellent knowledge of Greek religion, both ancient evidence and equal historiography, to which he returns frequently. To enrich his reflections, the author systematically echoes various interpretations of the issues he tackles, thus giving breadth to his analysis. All of these qualities make On Greek Religion an indispensable text for specialists in Ancient Greek religion, who will find in it abundant material for reflection. -- Stéphanie Paul * L'Antiquité Classique *Table of Contents1. Why Believe without Revelation? The Evidences of Greek Religion 2. Religion without a Church: Religious Authority in Greece 3. Analyzing Greek Gods 4. The Power and Nature of Heroes 5. Killing, Dining, Communicating 6. The Experience of Festivals 7. The Varieties of Greek Religious ExperienceAppendices 1. Seeking the Advice of the God on Matters of Cult 2. Accepting New Gods 3. Worshipping Mortals, and the Nature of Gods 4. Types of Chthonian Sacrifice? 5. The Early History of Hero CultBibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFirst English-language edition, with revisions and additions by the author. This classic work by one of the world's most distinguished Egyptologists was first published in German in 1984. The Search for God in Ancient Egypt offers a distillation of...Trade ReviewVery occasionally there will appear a book, vibrant with intellectual fervor, which challenges jaded ideas and as such I welcome with the greatest admiration Jan Assmann, The Search for God in Ancient Egypt. At the outset I would urge readers to confront the complexity of the linguistic level of this book... because Assmann's total command of the ancient sources and his interpretative insights make joining him on his 'search' a unique experience. -- George Hart * Egyptian Archaeology *What has made Assmann not only an eminent Egyptologist, but, in Germany, a public intellectual as well, is his sympathetic operation from within Egyptian texts coupled with a deep and detailed knowledge of Western intellectual history.... We are very fortunate to see his extraordinary scholarship appearing at last in English, and owe our thanks to... Cornell University Press and David Lorton, as well as, of course, to Assmann himself, for this excellent new opportunity. -- Tom Hare, Princeton University * Cambridge Archaeological Journal *

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Book SynopsisAkhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, was king of Egypt during the Eighteenth Dynasty and reigned from 1375 to 1358 B.C. E. Called the "religious revolutionary," he is the earliest known creator of a new religion. The cult he founded broke with...Trade ReviewIn Akhenaten and the Religion of Light, Erik Hornung,...explores the metaphysical and religious dimensions of Akhenaten's 'perestroika'... shows how psychological and medical interpretations of Akhenaten's portraits based on a literal reading of their anatomy-bending style have often fed dubious moral presumptions....'Ugly' and 'sick' Hornung tells us were the most common epithets applied to Amarna art by scholars at the turn of the century. -- Lawrence Osborne * Lingua Franca *This short and eminently readable translation... focuses on the nature of Akhenaten's religion, religious beliefs, and cultic practices, bringing together concepts and discussions from a wide range of scholarly writing. -- Susan Tower Hollis, SUNY Empire State College * Journal of the American Oriental Society *

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Book SynopsisOver seventy-two years ago, beginning at the Vernal Equinox in Glastonbury, Fortune started receiving communications from the Inner Planes concerning the creation of the universe, the evolution of humanity, natural law, the evolution of consciousness, and the nature of mind. This is her record, in a revised edition, and includes previously unpublished material that is still relevant today!

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