Οι ελληνικοί μύθοι: Ένας ολοκληρωμένος οδηγός

by Richard Buxton, Τάσος Τυφλόπουλος (Translator), Δανιήλ Ιακώβ (Editor)

“O παρών τόμος, που απευθύνεται σε ένα μη ειδικό αναγνωστικό κοινό, είναι μια εξαιρετική εισαγωγή στην αρχαία ελληνική μυθολογία. […] Ένα ευσύνοπτο εισαγωγικό κεφάλαιο σκιαγραφεί με σαφήνεια τον στόχο και τα περιεχόμενα του βιβλίου, το οποίο διαρθρώνεται σε επτά κεφάλαια. O τόμος κατακλείεται με μια κατατοπιστική βιβλιογραφία ή “μελέτες για περαιτέρω εμβάθυνση” οι οποίες αφορούν το καθένα από τα κεφάλαια του βιβλίου. Έτσι, προσφέρεται ένα εξαιρετικά χρήσιμο εργαλείο προκειμένου ο αναγνώστης να διερευνήσει την αρχαιοελληνική μυθολογία σε μεγαλύτερο βάθος.

H παρουσίαση του υλικού στο σύνολό του είναι σε γενικές γραμμές αριστοτεχνική. […]

H εικονογράφηση καλύπτει ένα φάσμα θεμάτων από όλες τις χρονικές περιόδους, και όχι μόνο την κλασική, και συνδέεται στενά με το κείμενο. Παρατίθενται μερικοί θαυμάσιοι χάρτες, π.χ. σχετικά με τους άθλους του Ηρακλή και τα κατορθώματα του Θησέα, όπως και γενεαλογικά δένδρα θεών και ηρώων. […] Το σημαντικότερο όμως είναι ότι το βιβλίο είναι συναρπαστικό… αποφεύγει την απλοϊκή αφήγηση, προσφέροντας μια αναδιήγηση των μύθων που επισημαίνει τη σημασία τους στο πλαίσιο των πολιτισμικών συμφραζομένων τους.

Tο τελικό αποτέλεσμα είναι αξιοθαύμαστο, καθώς ο συγγραφέας επικεντρώνει την επιστημονική του σοφία στη διερεύνηση της αρχαιοελληνικής μυθολογίας και, παρά το γεγονός ότι πραγματεύεται το αντικείμενό του με σοβαρότητα, κατορθώνει να το καταστήσει εύληπτο στο κοινό για το οποίο προορίζεται”.
- David Fitzpatrick, Bryn Mawr, “Classical Review”, 24/11/2004)

Genres: Mythology, Greek Mythology, Nonfiction, History, Classics, Greece, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2004

About the author

Richard Buxton works on ancient Greek literature (especially tragedy), and ancient mythology and religion. One of his main aims is to explore the contexts – for example, social life and the landscape – which can help us to recover the meanings which myths had for their tellers and hearers/readers (see his Imaginary Greece, 1994, and The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 2004).

In 1996 he organized a major international conference at Bristol, whose proceedings appeared as From Myth to Reason? (1999) Since 2003 he has been one of the editors of Thesaurus Cultus et Rituum Antiquorum and since 2006 he has been President of the LIMC Foundation. His book 'Forms of Astonishment: Greek Myths of Metamorphosis' was published in 2009. He will next be revising for publication a selection of his papers on Greek myth and tragedy.

He has taken part in a number of radio programs about myth. His work has been translated into nine languages.

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book on Greek mythology that includes extensive information and pictures. It's perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about Greek deities, heroes, and monsters.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, the day I have children I hope I'll have the guts :-) to unplug the TV once in a while and get them hooked on the Greek myths instead: love, revenge, humor - who needs soaps??

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well organized book. Meant to introduce the subject of Greek Mythology in context. Excellent for high school and early college students who want solid contextual understanding of this subject.

[Phoenix2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fascinating.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love mythology(preferably greek). I loved reading this book because it gave me all the stories in one book but they did leave out some tiny details, kinda like an abridged version. I really do recommend it though!

[Giorgos Kariotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. I'm a HUGE greek-roman mythology nerd.

[Moody Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really loved greek mythology... every single story included in it is so lovable and awesome! Like echo and paris, odysseus, jason and the argonauts etc...

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my prescribed book for my Greek Mythology in context course at university. It is very informative and has pictures. Definitely pick this up if you are doing research.

[Simon Ri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving into mythology always equals the attempt of understanding the foundations of our civilization. Myths provide boiled down truth about how we are supposed to act in the world, articulated by our unconscious long before our consciousness even grappled with the ideas.

Carved on the temple at Delphi were the exhortations "Know yourself" and "Nothing too much," mottoes which remind us if our own limitations: You are only human, so don't try more than you are able or you will pay the price. A recurring theme in Greek myth is the man or woman who loses sight of human limitations and acts arrogantly and with violence, as if immortal. And pays a terrible price.

Buxton did a wonderful job and paved a way which makes Greek Mythology not only easily accessible but also fun.

[Heidi Origer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Greek Mythology. I've always enjoyed reading their stories growing up.

[Frank Hering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful. Very informative.

[Rob Dudek · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 What can I say? I'm a fan of Greek mythology and this book really delivers. A very entertaining and informative read!

[InMyOwnWorld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on mythology.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource to pick up for anyone interested in a basic overview of Greek myths and their significance on Greek culture. However, because this book took more of a Greek civilization route, the myths themselves were bare-boned. I would have preferred a more in depth look into the variation that exist in various Greek myths.

Overall, I enjoyed reading through this. Now I really need my professor to send us that list of recommended readings for the summer...

[Greg Strandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

You really can't go wrong with Greek mythology, and this book will give you lots of characters and stories. I got this book from the public library, so there's not a lot to crow about. There are some boring parts, but if you're looking for a quick rundown, this is a good way to go.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, which is pretty much an overview of the Greek myths. I would have preferred a little more in depth in some places, but I guess that's what Homer is for.

[Megan Creel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful for quick research, the book has a very easy to use format for finding what you need to know.

[Mairéad (is roaming the Undying Lands) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Read for University***

Mini Review To Come

[Leif · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent textbook for those keen to see the range and get a glimpse of the depth of Greek myth. Buxton maintains a buoyant voice that never lingers longer than it should over details – although some of the later chapters feel tired, or were at least subject to my readerly exhaustion and so weren't as interesting as the majority of the middle chapters.

[Lisa Baeringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in Greek mythology this book is for you. It's very informative and pictures to boot. It gives you a better understanding into the stories surrounding the Greek gods and their religious practices.

[Mansour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though this book shows to give a good overview of myths I was not that impressed with the set up of writing style in general.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this.

[tuva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally finished🙌🏻

[ines]

did i do any of the readings this entire semester? barely. but i DESERVE to mark this as read. you can’t stop me.

[Nick Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, modern coverage, with great sourcing and comparison among the original texts. I liked the chapter on historical development of the Greek myths. I would have appreciated more coverage of the Roman "editions", especially as I read this as Jeopardy prep, and overall more text and fewer pictures would have been just fine. The breakup of myth along thematic lines was sensible from a didactic perspective, but it doesn't work very perfectly from a reference perspective.

Anyway, probably my go-to now for Greek mythology, though hardly as portable as Hamilton.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a textbook, must be a textbook - okay, I guess, if you're into scholarly arguments. I expected more of the actual stories included, I think I had the wrong expectations for this type of book.

[Radit malasmembaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

before there is philosophy, one must seek answer under the marvelous mythology

[Winna]

I want this book!!! But it's so expensive..