Amazon.com Review
Early humans created myths to explain everything from the creation of the universe to death and what lies beyond, and while science offers answers for most anything we can care to ask today, myths still captivate our imagination. If you're curious about how people around the world explained the rising and setting of the sun, the Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology covers more than the usual Greek and Roman pantheons, revealing the mythos of major cultures from around the globe--Japan, North America, and Australia, just to name a few. Divided into geographic regions, every page is packed with descriptions of deities and their exploits, and accompanied by vivid paintings, drawings, and full-color photographs of powerful artifacts that forge a tangible link to the myths and their culture. Despite the breadth of coverage, the Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology may not be the ideal resource for in-depth exploration of individual myths, but it makes an excellent starting point for learning about Ryujin, the Japanese Dragon King of the sea, and can quickly help you deduce who was the Polynesian moon goddess. --Brian Patterson
Product Description
What was inside Pandora's box? Which Egyptian god had a Jackal's head? Where was Niflheim? You can find the answers to these and thousands of other questions in the Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology. Organized by geographic region and with characters from the same stories and episodes grouped together, this book is an excellent reference tool for mythology experts as well as beginners. Legendary heroes appear together with their adversaries to set each myth in context, as do gods and goddesses of the underworld and mythical beasts Perfect for families and essential for visits to art galleries and museums. Over 2,000 specially commissioned artworks, authentic artifacts, and famous paintings. Complete and comprehensive index and cross-referencing.
