Greeks and Their Gods (Ariadne Series) [Paperback]

William Guthrie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1971 | Series: Ariadne Series

A religious companion to the Greek classics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (June 30, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807057932
• ISBN-13: 978-0807057933
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #870,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most in-depth book of its kind, January 4, 2009

By 

Michael Strassberg (Lawrenceville, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greeks and Their Gods (Paperback)

This book was fascinating. Most books about the Greek Pantheon start with the fully evolved and articulated gods such as Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus and their kin, as if the appeared on the scene ex nihilo. The fact is that all of these gods were gods of diverse tribes in the originally fragmented Aegean region. The gods of warring and seafaring tribes were of a much different character than those of the agricultural, sedentary tribes. Each god was originally the chief diety of some group, or an adoption from other cultures. As the culture became more homogenous through conquest and commerce, the once individual gods merged into a community of gods that eventually became the famous twelve. The status of each tribe's god reflected the relative position of that group in the social hierarchy. Thus, Zeus, being originally the god of the conquering tribes became the king of the gods, and Hephaestus, lame and hunchbacked, was at the bottom of the hierarchy, reflecting the lowly status of tradesmen.

Guthrie examines each god individually, starting with the earliest examples of that god's appearance and how it encapsulated the identity, values and world view of the society that worshipped it. He then shows how the god developed as the society grew and changed, eventually evolving into the god with whom we are commonly familiar. He tells how the god became a member of the pantheon. His analysis is broad in historical, psychological, symbolic and sociological approaches, and leaves the reader with an intensely deep appreciation and reverence for the Greek pantheon. You will never look at the Greek gods as characters in a series of charming myths again. You will see them as reflections of the development of a dynamic, fascinating society. Their development mirrors the growth of the society that worshiped them. The book is dense, but very readable, and extremely rewarding.

1 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Gods, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Greeks and Their Gods (Ariadne Series) (Paperback)

I read this book for a report it was very informational and helped me with my report I looked up Artemis. I would recommend this book for anyone who is researching the Gods.

0 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Greek gods, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Greeks and Their Gods (Ariadne Series) (Paperback)

I read this book to help me with a report about the Greek Gods and Godesses. It was very informational and it helped me alot with my report If you were looking for pleasure reading about the Gods than you may or may not want this book. It was very good.