The Greek and Roman Myths : A Guide to the Classical Stories

"An introduction to the Greek and Roman myths and tales that lie at the heart of Western culture includes intriguing facts and stories, including the labors of Hercules and the voyage of Odysseus." --Publisher.;Introduction : what are Greek and Roman myths : and why is it worth studying them? -- In the beginning : from chaos to cosmos in four steps -- Pandora's children : the human story -- The great gods : the first generation -- Olympus : the next generation -- Lesser gods, magical creatures and heroic ancestors -- Heroes and their quests -- The golden age of mythology -- The Trojan War -- Going home. Full of intriguing facts and diverting stories—the ideal introduction to the myths and tales that lie at the heart of Western culture. Who was Pandora and what was in her famous box? How did Achilles get his Achilles heel? What exactly is a Titan? And why is one computer virus known as a Trojan horse? The myths of ancient Greece and Rome can seem bewilderingly complex, yet they are so much a part of modern life and discourse that most of us know fragments of them. This comprehensive companion takes these fragments and weaves them into an accessible and enjoyable narrative, guiding the reader through the basic stories of classical myth. Philip Matyszak explains the sequences of events and introduces the major plots and characters, from the origins of the world and the labors of Hercules to the Trojan War and the voyages of Odysseus and Aeneas. He brings to life an exotic cast of heroes and monsters, wronged women and frighteningly arbitrary yet powerful gods. He also shows how the stories have survived and greatly influenced later art and culture, from Renaissance painting and sculpture to modern opera, literature, movies, and everyday products. Packed With Intriguing Facts And Entertaining Stories, This Is The Ideal Introduction To The Myths And Tales Of Ancient Greece And Of Ancient Rome. Who Was Pandora And What Was In Her Famous Box? Why Is A Famous Brand Named After The Goddess Nike? What Exactly Is A Titan? The Myths Are Still A Part Of Modern Life And Language. This Comprehensive Book Takes The Fragments We Half Remember And Guides Us Through The Stories And Characters, From The Origins Of The World And The Labours Of Hercules To The Trojan War And The Voyages Of Odysseus. It Also Shows How The Stories Have Survived And Influenced Art And Culture, From Renaissance Painting To Modern Opera, Literature, Film And Products. 'carefully Researched, Enjoyable, Diverting And Intriguing' - Reference Reviews A guide to the Greek and Roman Myths. It features a blend of stories, facts and quotations from ancient authors, and places ancient myths in a modern context, discussing the afterlives of the myths and the relevance of their messages. It includes factfiles on heroes and heroines and family trees of the gods. Philip Matyszak. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 221) And Index.