Greek myths discussion

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Good Greek mythology books

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message 1: by Vera (last edited Nov 15, 2009 09:11PM) (new)

Vera (codel) I'm new here just joined and there isn't much activity. Could someone help me find a book? anything under 10th grade reading level:)


message 2: by Katelis (last edited Dec 14, 2009 01:53AM) (new)

Katelis Viglas (proclus) | 1 comments Hi Collin. In my opinion there are some 20th century good introductions to the study of Greek Mythology. Among them the book written by both, Karl Jung and Karl Kerenyi, is still important.
For a long time the Handbook in Greek Mythology by H. J. Rose was used widely in Universities. I think it is still an easy reading.
If you search for alternative interpretations in the field of Mythology, then The Greek Myths by Robert Graves is a classic. It combines natural, well written narratives of each myth along with many other informations on their symbolic meaning. The only objection is the risky, non philological, not even historical some times explanations given.
The books by Joseph Campbell also enjoyed of special appreciation, especially in USA.
The old book under the title History of Greek Religion by the scandinavian M. P. Nilsson was a useful introduction for a long time, but now I think can be replaced by the books of Walter Burkert.
If you were reading modern Greek, I would propose to you the five volumes of Greek Mythology, a colective work, supervised by the classisict John Kakrides.
Finally, I could add Jane Ellen Harisson's books, - old but very radical and inovative at her time - and the masterpiece of George James Frazer The Golden Bough - with anthropological significance mainly.

Well, I tried not to select subjectively the books I mentioned above.
Of course, first of all, the ancient sources, Greek and Romans, are irreplaceabe for studying, enjoying and learning Greek mythology.

Yours
Katelis


message 3: by Al (new)

Al I like Edith Hamilton's Mythology. I read it for a class in 9th or 10th grade.


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