I recall studying myths in high school, as well as doing my B.A., but I have forgotten most. This is a good book for serious scholars, which is well-organised, with an exhibits and images list, index, list of ancient authors, as well as maps.
Europe has always had an amazing history, but the writings by those who spoke of the gods was mythic in proportions!
From the back cover
As far back as the fifth century BCE Pherecydes and others attempted
to integrate city-state stories into a coherent mythic Greek pre-history. Science unavailable to ancient sources helped guide author Spencer Clevenger to critical insights and intriguing results. In "Greek Mythic History," he weaves myths concerning gods, kings, and heroes into their intended time and place and offers a concise retelling of Greek myths from a historic perspective. Capitalizing on modern discoveries, Clevenger tells the story in chronological order, starting with the creation of the cosmos and ending in the Dark Ages when poets began to write down their myths and stories. Neither history nor mythology, the stories depict what history might be if the myths were interpreted more literally.
[BCE: Before the Common Era]
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@Barrie Summy
8 comments:
Greek mythology is so rich and complex, that one needs some kind of written guide to find one's way through it. Maybe this book is the one, although you claim it's for serious scholars, not for the ordinary reader. Anyway, one should give it a try.
I found middle school kids were very interested in myths and had a surprisingly good knowledge of the gods.
Greek mythology has always fascinated me.
I love Greek mythology, and this sounds like an interesting take on it.
My major in college was history. I had to pick three areas and ancient Greek and Roman history was one of them. The second was the Westward Movement in the States and the last was Mexico. It made for an interesting mix.
Your reading is so eclectic .... Way deeper than I ever tackle nowadays ... You have such a full life ... Made even more so by your reading.
You got my attention here. Classical history, the Romans, the Greeks and the gods...sounds good...
This book sounds like an excellent resource for authors retelling classic stories. I vaguely remember studying this topic in 5th grade for our Greek Festival.
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