Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece

Ancient Civilisations: life, myth and art #2

by Emma J. Stafford

Ancient Greek culture is one of the vital wellsprings of Western civilization. It has shaped its art and architecture, its drama and literature, and its philosophy and politics. Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece is a superbly illustrated guide to the ideas, beliefs, and achievements of this extraordinarily creative culture. Organized by themes such as Images and Imagination and Pride, Fate, Glory, each chapter includes a number of short sections on a particular topic as well as several specific features--concepts, individuals, or sites such as Mt. Olympus or the Parthenon--related to one of these topics. Included in the book are the adventures and conflicts of heroes from Herakles to Odysseus; the stories of such gods as Apollo and Aphrodite; the Dionysian revels; the noble ideals of the Olympic games; the Eleusinian mysteries, so secret that today we can only speculate about what they involved; and an overview of the Greeks' notable achievements in art and temple architecture. Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece offers an accessible and enlightening introduction to a rich cultural heritage that continues to shape our world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2004

Reviews

[Anibal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Stafford is a recognized expert in Greek mythology, with extensive publications on the personification of the divine in ancient Greek culture and individual legend cycles. In Exploring the Life, Myth, and Art of Ancient Greece, she presents an introduction to Greek civilization through three main components: Life, Myth, and Art.

In my opinion, however, the author made a misstep by focusing too heavily on her area of expertise. Of the book's 144 pages, about 100 are dedicated to myths, legends, and religious festivals. The section on art, by contrast, is limited to just five pages. While the book is filled with beautiful images that offer a visual impression of various art forms, these images often lack proper context or a comparative evolution. For example, it would have been helpful for the reader to see the three architectural styles presented in sequence for better clarity.

Regarding the "Life" component, one glaring omission is the topic of warfare. Although military service was a central part of the lives of many Greek citizens, particularly in the city-states, there is no dedicated section on this subject—only passing references in the political history section. Given that most art depicted conflict, aiming to instill martial virtue, and that warfare was one of the most significant and intimidating experiences in the lives of Greek men, this is a notable oversight.

Overall, the book offers a decent introduction to Greek history, but it leans heavily on mythology and the worship of the gods. If you're looking for a more balanced exploration of the daily life of the ancient Greek citizen or their art, there are better resources available.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of Ancient Greek life and mythology, but notably missing a lot.