Greek and Egyptian Mythologies [Paperback]

Yves Bonnefoy (Compiler), Wendy Doniger (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0226064549 | ISBN-13: 978-0226064543 | Edition: 1

The seventy-two entries in this volume explore, among other topics, the history, geography, and religion of Greece, Plato's mythology and philosophy, the powers of marriage in Greece, heroes and gods of war in the Greek epic, and origins of mankind in Greek myths. Ancient Egyptian cosmology, anthropology, rituals, and religion—closely linked to Greek mythology—are also discussed.

"In a world that remains governed by powerful myths, we must deepen our understanding of ourselves and others by considering more carefully the ways in which the mythological systems to which we cling and social institutions and movements to which we are committed nourish each other. Yves Bonnefoy's Mythologies not only summarizes the progress that has already been made toward this end, but also lays the foundation for the difficult work that lies ahead."—Mark C. Taylor, New York Times Book Review

"The almost 100 contributors combine, with characteristic precision and élan, the arts of science and poetry, of analysis and translation. The result is a treasury of information, brilliant guesswork, witty asides, and revealing digressions. This is a work of genuine and enduring excitement."—Thomas D'Evelyn, Christian cience Monitor

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 294 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (November 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226064549
• ISBN-13: 978-0226064543
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,354,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible...insightful...inspiring..., March 26, 2002

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greek and Egyptian Mythologies (Paperback)

I could attempt to write a review of this work, but
it is so rich, satisfying, informative, and inspiring
a volume that I would rather quote from the back
cover, which seems to me to sum up the perfections of
this compilation.
"GREEK AND EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGIES features seventy-two
articles, reproduced in full [in English translation]
with illustrations, from the acclaimed two-volume
MYTHOLOGIES. Written by distinguished scholars, the
articles explore a fascinating variety of themes and
topics. The section on Greek myth surveys mythologies
of creation, power, war, death, and sexuality; articles
on gods, goddesses and their cults bring fresh perspectives
to our understanding of religion in Greek societies. The
discussions of myth in Egypt are equally wide ranging --
from cosmology, anthropology, ritual, and religion to the
cults of Isis and the fate of the Egyptian gods from the
Middle Ages to the eighteenth century.
"The articles offer illuminating examples of the working
of myth in cultures past and present -- how we create, use,
and are guided by systems of myth to answer fundamental
questions about ourselves and our world: Where do we come
from? Who are we? How shall we live? What happens when we
die?
"Building on perspectives developed by such scholars as
Claude Levi-Strauss and Georges Dumezil, and drawing on
such diverse sources as the history of religions,
anthropology, archaeology, literature, and linguistics,
the contributors define a new approach to the study of
myth in society. Rather than simply cataloging gods
and symbols, the articles in MYTHOLOGIES explore the
complex working of myth in past societies and in our lives
today."
-- Back Cover.
---------
The "Introduction: The Interpretation of Mythology"
is incredibly rich and informative. It includes the
essays (never dry or dull! -- always extremely interesting
and inspiring) on: Toward a Definition of Myth. The

Interpretation of Mythos: Nineteenth and Twentieth-
Century Theories. Myth and Writing: The Mythographers.
Prehistoric Religion. "Nomadic Thought" and Religious
Action.
The essays in the rich Part 2 section on Greek mythology
contain such topics (which really interested me) as:
Myth in the Greek City: The Athenian Politics of Myth.
Philosophy and Mythology, from Hesiod to Proclus. Plato's
Mythology and Philosophy. The Neoplatonists and Greek
Myths. Greek Cosmogonic Myths. And these are only some
of the many.
The Part 3 section on Egypt contains such topics as:
Egyptian Cosmogony. Egyptian Anthropology. The Divine
and the Gods in Ancient Egypt. Egyptian Rituals. Death
in Egyptian Religion. Meroitic Religion. The Cults of
Isis among the Greeks and in the Roman Empire. Isis
the Magician, in Greek and Coptic Papyruses. The Fate
of the Egyptian Gods from the Middle Ages to the
Eighteenth Century. And that is the full list of
titles in that section.
All in all, this work is even more stimlating and
insightful than Robert Graves, and I would even put
it far ahead of THE LAROUSSE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHOLOGY,
which I also own and use.