Unlock Your Greek Treasure Box!
Enter a world where gods and goddesses mingle with the humans that worship them in elaborate temples, where heroes fight epic battles and monsters are thwarted, where legendary tales are told with an eye toward eternal glory: The treasure that is Greek mythology is an undeniable pleasure to read. Explore another world of ancient values, virtues, and vices-never to be forgotten.
The motifs of Greek mythology are similar to that of many other mythologies: Supernatural power is a handy way to explain the extraordinary; heroes are larger-than-life, with superhuman strength and wisdom to spare; gods are tricky and should be approached with caution; harrowing journeys are undertaken; battles are fought, and champions are forged. The Greeks developed a highly sophisticated government and developed both the Western epic and the philosophical tradition; their influence is undeniable still yet today. We can see the Greek evolution from their legendary founding, to their epic expansion, to their continued presence in our popular imagination through the thread of their treasure trove of myths and tales.
This book can take you through that journey, beginning with an overview of the Greek peoples and cultures, and into an understanding of their pantheon of gods and goddesses, their amazing tales of adventure, restless search for meaning, and a glimpse into who they actually were via the stories they held dear. Some specific elements you will encounter include:
- Some of the main gods of the Greco-Roman pantheon, with all their quirks and foibles
- The Greek Council of Twelve Gods and their all-too-human role in the peoples they oversee
- The first epic tales that have defined Western literary culture for thousands of years
- The multiple myths surrounding the gods, their heroes, and their foes
- The unique philosophy and government of ancient Greece, which created the foundation for all of the Western civilization
- From the Minotaur to Medusa to the Cyclops-fascinating creatures fueling mythological tales
- Stories about some of the most legendary figures in mythological history: Theseus and Perseus
- Contemporary visions of Greek characters and how they inform our Western institutions, our literary and artistic history, and our contemporary culture
Greek mythology is diverse and fascinating, offering us an insight into how ancient people believed and lived, into what they valued and vilified, and into how they lived and thrived. Finally, if you have enjoyed these treasured tales of Greek mythology, don't forget to explore the other fantastic realms of mythological magic in this series of books: Treasures of Egyptian Mythology, Treasures of Celtic Mythology, Treasures of Norse Mythology, and Treasures of Roman Mythology. You will find yourself in awe of the sweeping scope of history and culture represented by these mythological traditions-as well as get a better understanding of how we continually make and re-make these myths for our own times. That's the fabulous thing about myths: They never truly die.
