The Complete World of Greek Mythology
by Richard Buxton
Social Science
A full, authoritative, and wholly engaging account of these endlessly fascinating tales and of the ancient society in which they were created. Greek myths are among the most complex and influential stories ever told. From the first millennium BC until today, the myths have been repeated in an inexhaustible series of variations and reinterpretations. They can be found in the latest movies and television shows and in software for interactive computer games. This book combines a retelling of Greek myths with a comprehensive account of the world in which they developed—their themes, their relevance to Greek religion and society, and their relationship to the landscape. "Contexts, Sources, Meanings" describes the main literary and artistic sources for Greek myths, and their contexts, such as ritual and theater. "Myths of Origin" includes stories about the beginning of the cosmos, the origins of the gods, the first humans, and the founding of communities. "The Olympians: Power, Honor, Sexuality" examines the activities of all the main divinities. "Heroic exploits" concentrates on the adventures of Perseus, Jason, Herakles, and other heroes. "Family sagas" explores the dramas and catastrophes that befall heroes and heroines. "A Landscape of Myths" sets the stories within the context of the mountains, caves, seas, and rivers of Greece, Crete, Troy, and the Underworld. "Greek Myths after the Greeks" describes the rich tradition of retelling, from the Romans, through the Renaissance, to the twenty-first century. Complemented by lavish illustrations, genealogical tables, box features, and specially commissioned drawings, this will be an essential book for anyone interested in these classic tales and in the world of the ancient Greeks.
Bridges
Books that connect different domains
Bridges summary
The profound appeal of Richard Buxton's *The Complete World of Greek Mythology* finds unexpected but resonant parallels with other narratives, particularly those that delve into expansive journeys of self-discovery against powerful, often overwhelming, backdrops. While the epic sagas of Greek gods and heroes, as meticulously detailed in Buxton's comprehensive work, might seem worlds away from the gritty, deeply personal odyssey of Lin in Gregory David Roberts’ *Shantaram*, a closer examination reveals a shared fascination with the fundamental human struggle for identity and agency. Both texts, through their distinct lenses, explore the intoxicating allure and the inherent burdens of existential freedom. In *The Complete World of Greek Mythology*, this freedom is often a divine prerogative, the ability of Olympian gods to shape destinies, unleash cataclysms, or bestow boons, yet it also extends to the heroes who, despite their mortal limitations, strive to carve out their own legends through acts of incredible bravery and often tragic defiance. The very act of retelling these myths, as Buxton expertly traces from antiquity through the Renaissance to the twenty-first century, speaks to an enduring human need to interpret and revisit narratives of choice and consequence. Similarly, *Shantaram* plunges readers into a world where opportunities for true freedom are forged in the crucible of extreme circumstances, where Lin must navigate a labyrinthine foreign land, define his own morality, and grapple with the consequences of his choices in a society far removed from any familiar structure. The user’s appreciation for both suggests an intuitive gravitation towards stories that dissect the human experience under pressure, where individuals, much like the mythological figures in Buxton's text, are tested by monumental forces – be they the whims of fate, the demands of an unforgiving landscape, or the complexities of human relationships.
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