Myths of the Greeks and Romans

by Michael Grant and Illustrated by Cover Art Grant Michael

Book Overview

A fascinating study of the world's great myths and their impact on the creative arts through the ages, this insightful and absorbing book demonstrates the dynamic effect that ancient mythology has had on the creative efforts of succeeding centuries. Distinguished historian and classical scholar Michael Grant summarizes all the myths as well as the legends of the lesser gods and heroes, and traces their origins in historical fact or religious myth. He then shows how myths have continued to evolve throughout the ages. The author's brilliant investigations lead from Pericles to Picasso, Homer to Freud, Apuleius to Grimm--and prove that mythological themes have been continuously restated in art, science, and folklore, up to the present day. Lively and fascinating, this in-depth study is complemented by maps, genealogical tables, and 64 pages of photographs. Included, too, are an appendix on additional myths, chapter notes, and an updated bibliography and index. "The special value of the book lies in [its] studies of the earlier and later history of the myths . . . . The study of origins takes Mr. Grant into many different fields, including archaeology and psychology as well as classical philology. He is well read and sure footed in all of them."-- London Times Literary Supplement

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452011620
• ISBN13: 9780452011625
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A new look at some old stories

As important as almost any literature is in understanding Western culture are the tales of Greek and Roman mythology. Unlike Shakespeare, Chaucer or Cervantes, however, these stories are not identified with a single author, but rather a number of big names, including Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Livy, Ovid and most notably (and perhaps most legendary), Homer. These stories have endured for millennia, and have been related by a number of authors over the years. Michael Grant is walking over familiar ground with his book on these myths, but he still is able to provide a new look at these old stories. Grant, an author on numerous books on ancient history (particularly Greek and Roman, but also other Mediterranean communities), definitely has the credentials to write about these stories. The myths themselves are actually just the starting point in his discussion; what follows after the tales is an analysis of the impact of the story. An example would be the story of Oedipus, in particular, Sophocles play, King Oedipus (also known as Oedipus Rex). First Grant tells the story in a rather straightforward narrative with occasional interruptions where he provides excerpts from translations. He then discusses some of the history behind Oedipus and some of the thematic issues: for example, why is Oedipus punished for a fate beyond his control? Grant also discusses Freud and the Oedipus Complex. What's important to Grant is that these myths are not mere entertainments, but instead have a depths and breadth that goes well beyond the actual tale. All the well-known tales are discussed: the Iliad and the Odyssey, Jason and the Argonauts, Perseus, Aeneas, Romulus and Remus, and many others. What is sad is the amount of material that has been lost to the ages, such as most of the plays of Sophocles and Aeschylus, or the lost parts of the grand Trojan War epic of which the Iliad and Odyssey were only a part. While Grant can sometimes be a little tedious in his histories, he is in top form with this book. I would not recommend this book as an introduction to these myths (as storytelling is not Grant's primary objective), but if you know them already, this book is great: it'll give you a fresh, insightful look into these classic stories.

By Jove

Michael Grant begins with the battle for Troy, a war so epic that the gods themselves descended into the field of battle. From there we learn of Odysseus, Dido and Aeneas, Jason, Apollo, Diana, Zeus and Hera, Ulysses and the rape of the Sabine women. Invaluable either as a reference source or as a means of reading the tales of the ancients.