Myths of the Ancient Greeks

by Richard P. Martin

Book Overview

From one of today's foremost scholars, a lively retelling of the timeless tales... Here are the myths that have influenced so much of our cultural heritage. Such age-old stories as the tragic love of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451206851
• ISBN13: 9780451206855
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Exciting, readable, and modern.

It might seem a littl odd that I'm describing a book of Greek myths as "modern," but that's exactly what this is. Unlike older, more well-known collections of mythology, like Edith Hamilton's or Bullfinch's, "Myths of the Ancient Greeks" presents its tales like stories you might read anywhere, with drama, romance, and dialoge. It doesn't read like a dry academic lecture; you can see why the Greeks cherished their religion. I really enjoyed the way the book with organized, it felt a lot less haphazard than many books of mythology. There are nine sections: 1. The Begining 2. Singers, Players, and Rivals 3. Lovers Mortal and Divine 4. The Tales of Athens 5. Theseus, Lord of Athens 6. Herakles, Greatest of Heroes 7. Once and Future Hereoes (Featuring Jason and Perseus) 8. The Saga of Thebes (Oedipus) 9. The War at Troy What I found most helpful was the introduction at the beginning, which featured a nine page family tree, maps, and an insightful introduction on the origins and uses of mythology. Finally, this is simply a fun read. Greeks didn't shy away from anything, and their myths traverse subjects from incest to war to fratricide to cross-dressing. You don't have to read it all in one go; you can pick it up and flip to what interests you. This is probably the best introductory level mythology book I've read, and I highly recommend it.

Fun to read and interesting

If you want to learn some Greek Myth without getting a headache, buy this book. If you're just looking for something enjoyable that's not too hard to read, but yet interesting, buy this book. If you just want a good read, buy this book.

A good collections of Greek myths told in a clear prose format

This is one of the best collections of greek myths available. It presents the stories clearly and in a prose form that is easy to read and understand. It also tells the stories in a dynamic fashion, allowing the reader to thrill with the adventures of Greek gods and heroes. The book covers the origins of the gods and titans and covers all the most famous stories up to the Trojan war and Odysseus' return home. It also includes a family tree of the gods and goddesses, a map of the ancient Greek world and a list of recommended reading for those readers who want to find out more about the myths. This is probably the most concise and clear book on Greek myths and offers a great introduction to anyone who is just starting to explore this field, or to readers who just want to sit down with their favorite story. Highly Recommended.

The Myths of the Ancient Greeks

The description and the conversation is precise and very vivid. Reading the book is like seeing plays. It's fascinating and seems happening now.

Concise yet Thorough

Have you ever wondered what the Greek perspective was on the beginnings of the earth (Gaia)? How did Zeus come to reign over Mount Olympos with Hera, his sister, by his side? What were, according to the ancient Greeks, the origins of humans? And what exactly is Pandora's box anyway? Richard Martin divulges all of this and more in this excellent, all-encompassing text on Greek myth. The introduction speaks of where Greek myth comes from, mentioning, of course, Hesiod's Theogony, Homer, and the like. The early chapters introduce us to Chaos (whether it be a mere entity or a personification), Gaia, Eros, Ouranos, and the Titans, before leading into the Olympians. There are also chapters on Greek heroes, such as Herakles, Theseus, Perseus, and Jason. Tales from Athens and Thebes are also covered quite extensively. The final chapter speaks of the war at Troy. The chronology this material is presented in flows quite well, making it easy to read straight through, though it can also be read in small scattered segments if need be. I bought this book as a supplemental study aid for a course I recently took in Greek and Roman mythology, ended up reading it cover to cover, and I found that I actually turned to it more often than the course textbook. I found it easier to read than the course textbook, even though it covered the same basic information (with very few minor exceptions). Each myth or legend reads more like a short story than a blasé academic diatribe, making the material much more easily digestible and interesting. Martin also adds in a little bit of background information that helps to put many of the myths and legends into context, which can be intriguing at times. Martin also includes a few maps and family trees, which are a great quick reference. Another plus is that this is much cheaper than a textbook! Overall this is a great reference for both the classics student or professor, as well as the casual reader with an interest in ancient myth. Highly recommended!