The Complete Idiot S Guide To Classical Mythology

An introduction to Greek and Roman mythology provides explanations of all the gods and their roles, origins of the myths and theories on who wrote them, and the function of myths in society

Presents an introduction to myths, explaining what they are, their origins, and functions; provides Greek and Roman versions of a selection of classical myths; and includes a descriptive listing of gods, heroes, and creatures.

The dictionary defines mythology as a collection of ancient tales handed down over millennia, mainly dealing with gods and goddesses, that explains the way the world works, from natural events to society at large. Many people think of the deities of Greece and Rome when they think of mythology, forgetting that almost every culture has its own set of myths to interpret and explain its distinct worldview, often showing striking and fascinating similarities to the classical myths most people are familiar with. The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythologyexplores the gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, monsters and angels of the myths from every corner of the globe - the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, Asia, and more. Additionally, it explores the parallels between every culture, including Greece and Rome - striking similarities in mythic figures and the structure, action, wording, and result of the stories themselves.

The overwhelming influence of Ancient Greek culture on everything from science and literature to politics continues to be both relevant and hotly debated. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Ancient Greece, you are invited to meet the Ancient Greeks and to understand their legacy by entering their world. Profiles the most important contributions of Greek culture, including mythology, philosophy, medicine and the Olympic Games. Includes further reading and travel information to help in planning a personal odyssey.

A thorough and insightful introduction to not only the essentials but the essence of Greek history and culture and its legacy.

Kirkwood's text provides a user-friendly, quick reference for teachers, students and general readers. It is an excellent, interdisciplinary resource for the study of classics, literature, history and comparative religions. It features complete reference list with pronunciations, variable entry lengths, principal stories of classical mythology, emphasis on literary importance of Greek myths, and references to English and European literature.

Classical Mythology offers newcomers and long-time enthusiasts new ways to navigate the world of Greek and Roman myths, beginning by exploring the landscapes where the myths are set. It then provides a richly detailed timeline of mythic episodes from the origin of the cosmos to the end of the Heroic Age--plus an illustrated mythological dictionary listing significant characters, places, events, objects, and concepts.

Puts world events in a context that is relevant for today's students and casual readers Updated to include the significant events from the past several years