The Complete World of Greek Mythology

by Richard Buxton (著)

Greek myths are among the most complex and influential stories ever told. From the first millennium BC until today, the myths have been repeated in an inexhaustible series of variations and reinterpretations. They can be found in the latest movies and television shows and in software for interactive computer games. This book combines a retelling of Greek myths with a comprehensive account of the world in which they developed their themes, their relevance to Greek religion and society, and their relationship to the landscape.

"Contexts, Sources, Meanings" describes the main literary and artistic sources for Greek myths, and their contexts, such as ritual and theater.
"Myths of Origin" includes stories about the beginning of the cosmos, the origins of the gods, the first humans, and the founding of communities.
"The Olympians: Power, Honor, Sexuality" examines the activities of all the main divinities.
"Heroic exploits" concentrates on the adventures of Perseus, Jason, Herakles, and other heroes.
"Family sagas" explores the dramas and catastrophes that befall heroes and heroines.
"A Landscape of Myths" sets the stories within the context of the mountains, caves, seas, and rivers of Greece, Crete, Troy, and the Underworld.
"Greek Myths after the Greeks" describes the rich tradition of retelling, from the Romans, through the Renaissance, to the twenty-first century.
Complemented by lavish illustrations, genealogical tables, box features, and specially commissioned drawings, this will be an essential book for anyone interested in these classic tales and in the world of the ancient Greeks.

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, History, Greek Mythology, Classics, Greece, Religion

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2004

About the author

Richard Buxton works on ancient Greek literature (especially tragedy), and ancient mythology and religion. One of his main aims is to explore the contexts – for example, social life and the landscape – which can help us to recover the meanings which myths had for their tellers and hearers/readers (see his Imaginary Greece, 1994, and The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 2004).

In 1996 he organized a major international conference at Bristol, whose proceedings appeared as From Myth to Reason? (1999) Since 2003 he has been one of the editors of Thesaurus Cultus et Rituum Antiquorum and since 2006 he has been President of the LIMC Foundation. His book 'Forms of Astonishment: Greek Myths of Metamorphosis' was published in 2009. He will next be revising for publication a selection of his papers on Greek myth and tragedy.

He has taken part in a number of radio programs about myth. His work has been translated into nine languages.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, the day I have children I hope I'll have the guts :-) to unplug the TV once in a while and get them hooked on the Greek myths instead: love, revenge, humor - who needs soaps??

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well organized book. Meant to introduce the subject of Greek Mythology in context. Excellent for high school and early college students who want solid contextual understanding of this subject.

[Phoenix2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fascinating.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love mythology(preferably greek). I loved reading this book because it gave me all the stories in one book but they did leave out some tiny details, kinda like an abridged version. I really do recommend it though!

[Giorgos Kariotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. I'm a HUGE greek-roman mythology nerd.

[Moody Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really loved greek mythology... every single story included in it is so lovable and awesome! Like echo and paris, odysseus, jason and the argonauts etc...

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my prescribed book for my Greek Mythology in context course at university. It is very informative and has pictures. Definitely pick this up if you are doing research.

[Simon Ri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving into mythology always equals the attempt of understanding the foundations of our civilization. Myths provide boiled down truth about how we are supposed to act in the world, articulated by our unconscious long before our consciousness even grappled with the ideas.

Carved on the temple at Delphi were the exhortations "Know yourself" and "Nothing too much," mottoes which remind us if our own limitations: You are only human, so don't try more than you are able or you will pay the price. A recurring theme in Greek myth is the man or woman who loses sight of human limitations and acts arrogantly and with violence, as if immortal. And pays a terrible price.

Buxton did a wonderful job and paved a way which makes Greek Mythology not only easily accessible but also fun.

[Heidi Origer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Greek Mythology. I've always enjoyed reading their stories growing up.

[Frank Hering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful. Very informative.

[Rob Dudek · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 What can I say? I'm a fan of Greek mythology and this book really delivers. A very entertaining and informative read!

[InMyOwnWorld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on mythology.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource to pick up for anyone interested in a basic overview of Greek myths and their significance on Greek culture. However, because this book took more of a Greek civilization route, the myths themselves were bare-boned. I would have preferred a more in depth look into the variation that exist in various Greek myths.

Overall, I enjoyed reading through this. Now I really need my professor to send us that list of recommended readings for the summer...

[Greg Strandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

You really can't go wrong with Greek mythology, and this book will give you lots of characters and stories. I got this book from the public library, so there's not a lot to crow about. There are some boring parts, but if you're looking for a quick rundown, this is a good way to go.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, which is pretty much an overview of the Greek myths. I would have preferred a little more in depth in some places, but I guess that's what Homer is for.

[Megan Creel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful for quick research, the book has a very easy to use format for finding what you need to know.

[Mairéad (is roaming the Undying Lands) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Read for University***

Mini Review To Come

[Leif · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent textbook for those keen to see the range and get a glimpse of the depth of Greek myth. Buxton maintains a buoyant voice that never lingers longer than it should over details – although some of the later chapters feel tired, or were at least subject to my readerly exhaustion and so weren't as interesting as the majority of the middle chapters.

[Lisa Baeringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in Greek mythology this book is for you. It's very informative and pictures to boot. It gives you a better understanding into the stories surrounding the Greek gods and their religious practices.

[Mansour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though this book shows to give a good overview of myths I was not that impressed with the set up of writing style in general.

[nathalie]

finished my essay so

tbd if i passed tho lol

[Nick Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, modern coverage, with great sourcing and comparison among the original texts. I liked the chapter on historical development of the Greek myths. I would have appreciated more coverage of the Roman "editions", especially as I read this as Jeopardy prep, and overall more text and fewer pictures would have been just fine. The breakup of myth along thematic lines was sensible from a didactic perspective, but it doesn't work very perfectly from a reference perspective.

Anyway, probably my go-to now for Greek mythology, though hardly as portable as Hamilton.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a textbook, must be a textbook - okay, I guess, if you're into scholarly arguments. I expected more of the actual stories included, I think I had the wrong expectations for this type of book.

[Radit malasmembaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

before there is philosophy, one must seek answer under the marvelous mythology

[Winna]

I want this book!!! But it's so expensive..

[Barry]

Fun to read, but those Greeks just had too many characters and stories.

[Janella · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can i read this??

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this.