Myths of the Greeks and Romans (Meridian) (Paperback)

~ Michael Grant (Author) "The poet begins his story, in the tenth year of Troy's siege by the Greeks..." (more)
Key Phrases: Asia Minor, Middle Ages, Robert Graves (more...)

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Product Description

This work provides an analysis of the influence of the classic myth on the study and execution of artistic and scientific endeavours throughout the ages. The book summarizes all the myths and legends of the lesser Gods and heroes, and traces their origins in historical fact or religious myth. It also shows how myths have continued to evolve throughout the ages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Plume; Rev Upd edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452011620
• ISBN-13: 978-0452011625
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #167,484 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new look at some old stories, July 28, 2007

By	mrliteral - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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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.

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars By Jove, August 28, 2001

By	Matherson (New York) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.