Greek Mythology: An Introduction: An Introduction (Revised) - Softcover

Graf, Fritz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801853958 ISBN 13: 9780801853951

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993

Synopsis

This revised translation of Fritz Graf's highly acclaimed introduction to Greek mythology offers a chronological account of the principal Greek myths that appear in the surviving literary and artistic sources and concurrently documents the history of interpretation of Greek mythology from the 17th century to the present. First surveying the various definitions of myth that have been advanced, Graf proceeds to examine topics such as the relationship between Greek myths and epic poetry, the connection between particular myths and shrines or holy festivals, the use of myth in Greek song and tragedy, and the uses and interpretations of myth by philosophers and allegorists.

About this title

Review:

"Graf's Greek Mythology immediately established itself, when it was first published in German in 1985, as the best introduction then available. Historical in three senses―a brief history of theories of myth, a view of the historically changing roles of myth, a sense of the processes of inventing, forgetting, and renewing myth―the book's strength lies in its combining an understanding of myth as essentially narrative, with an appreciation of the issue of authorship... This is a new edition, with footnotes, numerous minor alterations to the text, and a thoroughly updated bibliography."

(Times Literary Supplement)

"The best general introduction to Greek mythology in English."

(Lowell Edmunds Bryn Mawr Classical Review)

"Full of compelling insights... A superior work on Greek mythology done by a first-rate scholar."

(Paul Properzio New England Classical Newsletter and Journal)

Synopsis:

This introductory text offers a chronological account of the main Greek myths in surviving literary and artistic sources, and also examines the history of interpretation of Greek mythology from the 17th century to the present. Topics include the relationship between Greek myths and epic poetry, the connection between particular myths and shrines or holy festivals, the use of myth in Greek song and tragedy, and the uses and interpretations of myth by philosophers and allegorists.

About this edition

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0801853958
• ISBN 13: 9780801853951
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264