Greek and Roman myths. From Troy and Homer to Pandora and Avatar
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The ideal introduction into the mythology of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, full of intriguing facts and exciting stories.
Who was Pandora and what was lurking in her famous box? Why is the famous brand named after the goddess Nicky? How is the Avatar connected with the myth of Pandora and why does mythology unite Dürer and Dali?
Myths are still part of modern life and language. We all know something about ancient mythology, but this book will help to collect a single majestic picture from fragmentary information. You will get acquainted with the main stories and characters, from the creation of the world and the exploits of Hercules to the Trojan War and the wanderings of the Odyssey. Dr. Philip Matyshak, who teaches in Cambridge, embodies an exotic set of heroes and monsters, offended women and powerful gods. He demonstrates how the plots of ancient mythology lived for centuries, affecting art and culture, from the painting of the Renaissance to a modern opera, literature and cinema.
From the author
If the Greek and Roman myths were just a set of stories about the magical transformations and quarrels of the gods, then it would not make much sense to read about them. To start with the fact that these myths are a huge number, and they are all full of confusing names and pedigree. Why do we need to know about them and why are they not indifferent to us?
They are not indifferent to us because myths describe the point of view of ancient people to the world. In addition, the archetypes of the heroes - the women with whom they unfairly treated, and the powerful, moreover, frightening the past gods - influenced how the Greeks and the Romans saw themselves and their relations with the Universe. In fact, many of these archetypes are so powerful that we are still using them. For example, psychologists (called the profession on behalf of the mythical princess Psyche) turn to them when they talk about Oedipus complex or daffodils. It’s just that myths where Edip and Narcissus acts describe certain aspects of human life so expressively that they have not come up with the best name for them.
This leads us to another reason to read myths. They lived for almost three thousand years not because they are cultural paradigms, but because in fact these are strong and very interesting stories.
Besides, the world of mythology is by no means as chaotic as it seems at first glance. Many stories have common topics. Heroes are tormented, but in compensation they receive gifts and strength, virgins suffer from love, but in the end, love is rewarded. In more gloomy stories, it tells about how human life determines the threads that spin, measure and cut the ruthless goddesses of fate, and the hero only needs to accept their fate, preserving courage and nobility.
There is also another common topic in myths. Despite conflicts, disagreements and misunderstanding, gods, demigods and people - all opposed the monsters and giants, which symbolize the forces of disorder and senseless destruction. If modern stories often talk about the victory of good over evil, then the ancients represented the struggle of civilization and reason against barbarism and chaos. Ultimately, the essence of myths is to bring human values to a capricious and unfriendly universe. And that is why now, when sometimes it seems that blind hatred, meaningless destruction and lack of reason win, classical myths have not at all lost their relevance.
This book is a leadership or guide that will help to better understand the general heritage of stories and beliefs that united the worlds of the Greeks and Romans
Who was Pandora and what was lurking in her famous box? Why is the famous brand named after the goddess Nicky? How is the Avatar connected with the myth of Pandora and why does mythology unite Dürer and Dali?
Myths are still part of modern life and language. We all know something about ancient mythology, but this book will help to collect a single majestic picture from fragmentary information. You will get acquainted with the main stories and characters, from the creation of the world and the exploits of Hercules to the Trojan War and the wanderings of the Odyssey. Dr. Philip Matyshak, who teaches in Cambridge, embodies an exotic set of heroes and monsters, offended women and powerful gods. He demonstrates how the plots of ancient mythology lived for centuries, affecting art and culture, from the painting of the Renaissance to a modern opera, literature and cinema.
From the author
If the Greek and Roman myths were just a set of stories about the magical transformations and quarrels of the gods, then it would not make much sense to read about them. To start with the fact that these myths are a huge number, and they are all full of confusing names and pedigree. Why do we need to know about them and why are they not indifferent to us?
They are not indifferent to us because myths describe the point of view of ancient people to the world. In addition, the archetypes of the heroes - the women with whom they unfairly treated, and the powerful, moreover, frightening the past gods - influenced how the Greeks and the Romans saw themselves and their relations with the Universe. In fact, many of these archetypes are so powerful that we are still using them. For example, psychologists (called the profession on behalf of the mythical princess Psyche) turn to them when they talk about Oedipus complex or daffodils. It’s just that myths where Edip and Narcissus acts describe certain aspects of human life so expressively that they have not come up with the best name for them.
This leads us to another reason to read myths. They lived for almost three thousand years not because they are cultural paradigms, but because in fact these are strong and very interesting stories.
Besides, the world of mythology is by no means as chaotic as it seems at first glance. Many stories have common topics. Heroes are tormented, but in compensation they receive gifts and strength, virgins suffer from love, but in the end, love is rewarded. In more gloomy stories, it tells about how human life determines the threads that spin, measure and cut the ruthless goddesses of fate, and the hero only needs to accept their fate, preserving courage and nobility.
There is also another common topic in myths. Despite conflicts, disagreements and misunderstanding, gods, demigods and people - all opposed the monsters and giants, which symbolize the forces of disorder and senseless destruction. If modern stories often talk about the victory of good over evil, then the ancients represented the struggle of civilization and reason against barbarism and chaos. Ultimately, the essence of myths is to bring human values to a capricious and unfriendly universe. And that is why now, when sometimes it seems that blind hatred, meaningless destruction and lack of reason win, classical myths have not at all lost their relevance.
This book is a leadership or guide that will help to better understand the general heritage of stories and beliefs that united the worlds of the Greeks and Romans
Author:
Author:Philip Matyshak
Cover:
Cover:Hard
Category:
- Category:Biographies & Memoirs
- Category:History & Geography
Publication language:
Publication Language:Russian
Paper:
Paper:Offset
Series:
Series: 2
Age restrictions:
Age restrictions:18+
ISBN:
ISBN:978-5-00169-504-2
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