Goden en godinnen van Hellas en Rome

by Philip Matyszak

Philip Matyszak, auteur van 'Vergeten volkeren', beschrijft nu op fascinerende wijze de goden en godinnen van Griekenland en RomeWie waren ook alweer de goden en godinnen van het oude Griekenland en Rome? Wat betekenden ze voor de mensen die hen aanbaden? Hoewel hun tijd van aanbidding allang voorbij is, hebben de Griekse en Romeinse goden millennia lang kunstenaars gefascineerd en genspireerd. Auteurs, beeldhouwers en schilders van alle tijden hebben de goden beschreven en verbeeld. Zo kunnen we nog steeds zien en lezen dat de Helleense en Romeinse goden onsterfelijk en krachtig zijn, maar ook ijdel, wraakzuchtig en kwetsbaar. Als symbolen van de dood, vruchtbaarheid, liefde en oorlog zijn de goden ook onze sleutel om te begrijpen hoe de Grieken en Romeinen hun wereld zagen. In de oudheid was er geen duidelijk onderscheid tussen de mensen en hun goden. Goddelijke wezens en stervelingen konden verliefd op elkaar worden en samen kinderen krijgen, die normale mensen, helden of (half)goden konden worden. Net zoals Romeinse keizers vergoddelijkt konden worden.

Philip Matyszak presenteert dit pantheon in al zijn complexiteit en leidt ons van de berg Olympus naar de diepten van Hades. Elk hoofdstuk richt zich op een inpiduele god of godin zoals de Grieken en Romeinen die hebben overgeleverd en verkent de oorsprong en de verbeelding van de legendes. De hoofdstukken zijn voorzien van meer dan honderdzeventig afbeeldingen in kleur die ons laten zien hoe de mensheid de goden tot leven hebben gebracht.

Van Aurora tot Zeus, van Aphrodite tot Vulcanus.

Genres: Mythology, History, Nonfiction, Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

Paperback

First published November 22, 2022

About the author

Philip Matyszak is a British nonfiction author, primarily of historical works relating to ancient Rome. Matyszak has a doctorate in Roman history from St. John's College, Oxford. In addition to being a professional author, he also teaches ancient history for Madingley Hall Institute of Continuing Education, Cambridge University.

Reviews

[Linniegayl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really beautiful book, filled with gorgeous color photos of vases, paintings, statues, and more from a variety of historical periods, all centered on various gods and goddesses. But even better, it contains a wealth of information about the various gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome. As a tip, don’t neglect to read the text next to the figures; there are some delightful nuggets about specific gods and goddesses tucked away.

I especially like the introductory chapter, which focuses on the role the gods and goddesses (and mythology in general) played for the ancient Greeks and Romans. It begins by saying to truly understand their role, we must put aside our notions of religion, our notions of the divine, and attempt to understand the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses from their point of view. I suspect I will come back to this chapter in the future, whenever I question the role of mythology in ancient Greece and Rome.

The book eventually moves on to devote individual chapters to each of the Olympians, as well as to a section entitled “Beyond Olympus” featuring additional gods and goddesses including those from outside Greece and Rome, such as Isis and Serapis from Egypt.

This book is very readable, and although I’ve read other books about Greek and Roman mythology, I learned many things I didn’t know previously from this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would give it an A-/A, so five stars here.

[Steven "Steve" · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, I quickly determined that despite reading about mythology for my entire life there were still a lot of pieces of information that I had never encountered before. Whether it was etymological tidbits or myth sources or interpretations, this book ended up being a worthwhile impulse purchase (from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts). I took a chance on it because Thames & Hudson have never steered me wrong. As always, there are many fine art examples from antiquity to the modern age. I was particularly pleased to see a painting from Pompeii I was unfamiliar with as it was only rediscovered within the past 5 or 6 years.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a long read, but I appreciate how this didn't just explain the Greek and Roman gods, but show how each society's values shaped each counterpart and what parts of the story they chose to pick up or leave.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure. It gives all the information, myth and mystery you would expect, complete with gorgeous illustrations that are explained thoroughly. There is also clear discussion on the attributes of these gods and goddesses, and how it relates to the original primal force the Greeks and others were attempting to comprehend and deal with. It is interesting to read of the immortals who were worshipped and sacrificed to for favors, like asking Demeter for a good harvest, and the ones who were basically worshipped and appeased to not do what they do - Poseidoon Earth Shaker and Giant Tsunami Maker, for example. A lot of what had appeared to me as seemingly unworthy and unnecessary traits and cruelty are the result of attempting to make some sense out of our seemingly unnecessarily cruel cosmos. If you already enjoy mythology you will enjoy this book. If it is a new field for you, you will love this book.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Greeks and Romans had a belief system and mythology that still appears in our modern world. I love this book for its reminder that that mythology wasn't created all at once, but evolved and added gods and goddesses as their world expanded or changed. The gods and goddesses also adapted, adding new versions of themselves.
Lots of lovely pictures of gods and goddesses depicted by the ancients and by more modern artists as well. Paintings, mosaic floors, vases, sculptures.
Recommended.

[Boho Beannie]

Skim, good resource

[Kenny Verhoeven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uitstekend boek over de relatie tussen de Griekse Olympiërs en hun Romeinse equivalent. Doorspekt met anekdotes en weetjes, rijkelijk gestoffeerd met afbeeldingen en met gevoel voor humor verteld.

[Danielle Farkas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the cheekiness and the connections it drew! Glad to have it as a reference book.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot I read this but it make me understand them.

[William Dury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice modern review of classical mythology. I like the idea that the old gods were an attempt to put a face, or faces, onto natural forces. To humanize the Universe. He tells how gods from different places were woven into the local storytelling frame work and how different cultures responded according to their values and world view. A real treat. Lavishly illustrated.