Download or read book Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies written by Naoise Mac Sweeney and published by University of Pennsylvania Press. This book was released on 2015 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout the ancient world, origin stories were told across the ancient world in many different ways: through poetry, prose, monumental and decorative arts, and performance in civic and religious rituals. Foundation myths, particularly those about the beginnings of cities and societies, played an important role in the dynamics of identity construction and in the negotiation of diplomatic relationships between communities. Yet many ancient communities had not one but several foundation myths, offering alternative visions and interpretations of their collective origins. Seeking to explain this plurality, Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies explores origin stories from a range of classical and ancient societies, covering both a broad chronological span (from Greek colonies to the high Roman empire) and a wide geographical area (from the central Mediterranean to central Asia). Contributors explore the reasons several different, sometimes contradictory myths might coexist or even coevolve. Collectively, the chapters suggest that the ambiguity and dissonance of multiple foundation myths can sometimes be more meaningful than a single coherent origin narrative. Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies argues for a both/and approach to foundation myths, laying a framework for understanding them in dialogue with each other and within a wider mythic context, as part of a wider discourse of origins. Contributors: Lieve Donnellan, Alfred Hirt, Naoíse Mac Sweeney, Rachel Mairs, Irad Malkin, Daniel Ogden, Robin Osborne, Michael Squire, Susanne Turner.
Download or read book Foundation Myths and Politics in Ancient Ionia written by Naoíse Mac Sweeney and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2013-11-21 with total page 255 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book examines foundation myths told about the Ionian cities during the archaic and classical periods. It uses these myths to explore the complex and changing ways in which civic identity was constructed in Ionia, relating this to the wider discourses about ethnicity and cultural difference that were current in the Greek world at this time. The Ionian cities seem to have rejected oppositional models of cultural difference which set in contrast East and West, Europe and Asia, Greek and Barbarian, opting instead for a more fluid and nuanced perspective on ethnic and cultural distinctions. The conclusions of this book have far-reaching implications for our understanding of Ionia, but also challenge current models of Greek ethnicity and identity, suggesting that there was a more diverse conception of Greekness in antiquity than has often been assumed.
Download or read book Mythology and Human Culture written by Janet Amirtharaj and published by . This book was released on 2016-08-03 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Mythic Imagination Today written by Terry Marks-Tarlow and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2021-01-18 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mythic Imagination Today is an illustrated guide to the interpenetration of mythology and science throughout the ages. This monograph brings alive our collective need for story as a guide to the rules, roles, and relationships of everyday life.
Download or read book Mysteries of Native American Myth and Religion written by Gary R. Varner and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2007 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Folklorist Gary R. Varner takes a lengthy look at various myths, legends and beliefs of Native Americans in this book. Included are stories and archaeological finds from various lands that suggest cultural contacts between explorers from China, Japan, the Mediterranean and Europe with Native Americans in pre-Columbian times. Native American folklore and myths are examined including the universal legends of the flood and stories of the mysterious god-men such as Quetzalcoatl, Votan and Chinigchinix, who brought the arts, technology and civilization to indigenous cultures. Mysteries of Native American Myth and Religion is a fact-filled, yet fascinating story of the original inhabitants of North and South America. Varner has written several books on folklore and mythology and is a member of the American Folklore Society and the Foundation for Mythological Studies.
Download or read book Myth and History in Ancient Greece written by Claude Calame and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2003-07-22 with total page 199 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Surely the ancient Greeks would have been baffled to see what we consider their "mythology." Here, Claude Calame mounts a powerful critique of modern-day misconceptions on this front and the lax methodology that has allowed them to prevail. He argues that the Greeks viewed their abundance of narratives not as a single mythology but as an "archaeology." They speculated symbolically on key historical events so that a community of believing citizens could access them efficiently, through ritual means. Central to the book is Calame's rigorous and fruitful analysis of various accounts of the foundation of that most "mythical" of the Greek colonies--Cyrene, in eastern Libya. Calame opens with a magisterial historical survey demonstrating today's misapplication of the terms "myth" and "mythology." Next, he examines the Greeks' symbolic discourse to show that these modern concepts arose much later than commonly believed. Having established this interpretive framework, Calame undertakes a comparative analysis of six accounts of Cyrene's foundation: three by Pindar and one each by Herodotus (in two different versions), Callimachus, and Apollonius of Rhodes. We see how the underlying narrative was shaped in each into a poetically sophisticated, distinctive form by the respective medium, a particular poetical genre, and the specific socio-historical circumstances. Calame concludes by arguing in favor of the Greeks' symbolic approach to the past and by examining the relation of mythos to poetry and music.
Download or read book Early Rome written by Jaclyn Neel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2017-05-01 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The scholarly community has become increasingly aware of the differences between Roman myths and the more familiar myths of Greece. Early Rome: Myth and Society steps in to provide much-needed modern and accessible translations and commentaries on Italian legends. This work examines the tales of Roman pre-and legendary history, discusses relevant cultural and contextual information, and presents author biographies. This book offers updated translations of key texts, including authors who are often absent from classical mythology textbooks, such as Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Servius. Editor Jaclyn Neel debunks the idea that Romans were unimaginative copyists by spotlighting the vitality and flexibility of Italian myth — particularly those parts that are less closely connected to Greek tales, such as the story of Caeculus of Praeneste. Finally, by calling attention to the Italian rather than Roman nature of the collection, this book suggests that Roman culture was broader than the city itself. This important work offers: Up-to-date and accessible translations of Roman and Italic legends from authors throughout antiquity Examination of compelling tales that involve the Roman equivalent of Greek “heroes” Unique view of the strength and plasticity of Roman and Italic myth, particularly the parts less closely connected to familiar Greek tales Intelligent discussion of relevant cultural and contextual information Argument that Roman culture reached far beyond the city of Rome Fresh and readable, Early Rome: Myth and Society offers essential reading for students of ancient Rome as well as those interested in Roman and Greek mythology.
Download or read book Foundation Myths and Politics in Ancient Ionia written by Naoaise Mac Sweeney and published by . This book was released on 2014-05-14 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Considers foundation myths in ancient Ionia, exploring issues of identity, ethnicity and the negotiation of cultural differences.
Download or read book Creation Myths written by Marie-Louise von Franz and published by Shambhala Publications. This book was released on 2017-05-09 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Creation myths are the deepest and most important of all myths because they are concerned with both the basic patterns of existence and the ultimate meaning of life. In this book, an eminent Jungian analyst examines the recurring motifs that appear in creation myths from around the world and shows what they teach us about the mysteries of creativity, the cycles of renewal in human life, and the birth of consciousness in the individual psyche. Among the topics discussed are: • Why the creative process is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, loneliness, and fear of the unknown. • The meaning of creation motifs such as the egg, the seed, the primordial being, the creative fire, the separation of heaven and earth, and the four stages of creation. • Creation symbolism in the alchemical opus of medieval tradition. • How creation-myth motifs appear in the dreams of people who are on the verge of a leap forward in consciousness.
Download or read book Mythology For Dummies written by Christopher W. Blackwell and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-03-21 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Every culture and time has its myths. You might say that myths help us to understand people, since just like people they can be inspirational and beautiful, as well as cruel and violent. The main players in mythology are the original drama kings and queens — they hang themselves in shame, poke out their own eyes, rule cities, and marry their relatives — and the fun doesn’t stop there! If you want all the scoop on gods and goddesses, fates and furies, monsters and heroes from around the world, Mythology for Dummies is the Who’s Who of mythological figures that you can’t do without. It’s no secret that mythology can be confusing for anyone. From cultural hero Johnny Appleseed, to manly Odysseus, to femme fatale Aphrodite, and those pesky Cyclops running amuck on that faraway island, Mythology for Dummies covers all the bases, including information on: Greek mythology Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey Roman mythology Virgil’s Aeneid Beowulf Non-European mythology Also, this book will get you up to speed on the heavy stuff—like how mythology intersects with our lives, and explores the meaning of existence. Organized into chapters on specific topics, it breaks down the common types of myths and mythological figures, and offers plain-English explanations of how myths have appeared in cultures throughout the ages. You’ll find what you need to know on these topics and many more: What makes myths different from legends and fairy tales Greek creation myths and those really ancient Greek Gods The Olympian Gods (taller, younger, and better looking than you) The Greek goddesses (the fairest and the meanest of them all) Heroes — made, born, and re-born Mythological places from Elysium Fields, to Atlantis, and Xanadu Roman religion — how it was begged, borrowed, and stolen You’ll also enjoy helpful features like charts comparing major figures, and a tear-out tip-sheet with a timeline of world civilizations. Whether you want to dabble in the wonders of mythology or get serious, Mythology for Dummies will demystify the subject, and show you how important myths can be to a culture. You’ll never say, “It’s only a myth” again!
Download or read book Wandering Myths written by Lucy Gaynor Audley-Miller and published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. This book was released on 2018-10-08 with total page 481 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In spite of the growing amount of important new work being carried out on uses of myth in particular ancient contexts, their appeal and reception beyond the framework of one culture have rarely been the primary object of enquiry in contemporary debate. Highlighting the fact that ancient societies were linked by their shared use of mythological narratives, Wandering Myths aims to advance our understanding of the mechanisms by which such tales were disseminated cross-culturally and to investigate how they gained local resonances. In order to assess both wider geographic circulations and to explore specific local features and interpretations, a regional approach is adopted, with a particular focus on Anatolia, the Near East and Italy. Contributions are drawn from a range of disciplines, and cross a wide chronological span, but all are interlinked by their engagement with questions focusing on the factors that guided the processes of reception and steered the facets of local interpretation. The Preface and Epilogue evaluate the material in a synoptic way and frame the challenging questions and views expressed in the Introduction.
Download or read book Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity written by Ton Derks and published by Amsterdam University Press. This book was released on 2009 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A bold and original examination of the relationships between ethnicity and political power in the ancient world.
Download or read book Early Rome written by Jaclyn Neel and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2017-04-03 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The scholarly community has become increasingly aware of the differences between Roman myths and the more familiar myths of Greece. Early Rome: Myth and Society steps in to provide much-needed modern and accessible translations and commentaries on Italian legends. This work examines the tales of Roman pre-and legendary history, discusses relevant cultural and contextual information, and presents author biographies. This book offers updated translations of key texts, including authors who are often absent from classical mythology textbooks, such as Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Servius. Editor Jaclyn Neel debunks the idea that Romans were unimaginative copyists by spotlighting the vitality and flexibility of Italian myth — particularly those parts that are less closely connected to Greek tales, such as the story of Caeculus of Praeneste. Finally, by calling attention to the Italian rather than Roman nature of the collection, this book suggests that Roman culture was broader than the city itself. This important work offers: Up-to-date and accessible translations of Roman and Italic legends from authors throughout antiquity Examination of compelling tales that involve the Roman equivalent of Greek “heroes” Unique view of the strength and plasticity of Roman and Italic myth, particularly the parts less closely connected to familiar Greek tales Intelligent discussion of relevant cultural and contextual information Argument that Roman culture reached far beyond the city of Rome Fresh and readable, Early Rome: Myth and Society offers essential reading for students of ancient Rome as well as those interested in Roman and Greek mythology.
Download or read book Myths from Mesopotamia written by Stephanie Dalley and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 1998 with total page 382 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Publisher Description
Download or read book Myths on the Map written by Greta Hawes and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2017-07-15 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Polybius boldly declared that 'now that all places have become accessible by land or sea, it is no longer appropriate to use poets and writers of myth as witnesses of the unknown' (4.40.2). And yet, in reality, the significance of myth did not diminish as the borders of the known world expanded. Storytelling was always an inextricable part of how the ancient Greeks understood their environment; mythic maps existed alongside new, more concrete, methods of charting the contours of the earth. Specific landscape features acted as repositories of myth and spurred their retelling; myths, in turn, shaped and gave sense to natural and built environments, and were crucial to the conceptual resonances of places both unknown and known. This volume brings together contributions from leading scholars of Greek myth, literature, history, and archaeology to examine the myriad intricate ways in which ancient Greek myth interacted with the physical and conceptual landscapes of antiquity. The diverse range of approaches and topics highlights in particular the plurality and pervasiveness of such interactions. The collection as a whole sheds new light on the central importance of storytelling in Greek conceptions of space.
Download or read book Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt written by Lewis Spence and published by Good Press. This book was released on 2019-11-20 with total page 412 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Readers everywhere will enjoy reading about the intriguing myths and the mysterious legends surrounding the history of Ancient Egypt. This excellent textbook contains details of Egyptian gods and goddesses, beliefs, and cults. Excerpt: "INTRODUCTORY 1 II. EXPLORATION, HISTORY, AND CUSTOMS 33 III. THE PRIESTHOOD: MYSTERIES AND TEMPLES 52 IV. THE CULT OF OSIRIS 63 V. THE GREAT GODS 130 VI. EGYPTIAN LITERATURE 182 VII. MAGIC 252 VIII. FOREIGN AND ANIMAL GODS: THE LATE PERIOD 275 IX. EGYPTIAN ART 311 GLOSSARY AND INDEX."
Download or read book Time in Ancient Stories of Origin written by Anke Walter and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2020-06-29 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Greek and Roman stories of origin, or aetia, provide a fascinating window onto ancient conceptions of time. Aetia pervade ancient literature at all its stages, and connect the past with the present by telling us which aspects of the past survive "even now" or "ever since then". Yet, while the standard aetiological formulae remain surprisingly stable over time, the understanding of time that lies behind stories of origin undergoes profound changes. By studying a broad range of texts and by closely examining select stories of origin from archaic Greece, Hellenistic Greece, Augustan Rome, and early Christian literature, Time in Ancient Stories of Origin traces the changing forms of stories of origin and the underlying changing attitudes to time: to the interaction of the time of gods and men, to historical time, to change and continuity, as well as to a time beyond the present one. Walter provides a model of how to analyse the temporal construction of aetia, by combining close attention to detail with a view towards the larger temporal agenda of each work. In the process, new insights are provided both into some of the best-known aetiological works of antiquity (e.g. by Hesiod, Callimachus, Vergil, Ovid) and lesser-known works (e.g. Ephorus, Prudentius, Orosius). This volume shows that aetia do not merely convey factual information about the continuity of the past, but implicate the present in ever new complex messages about time.
