Uses of Greek Mythology

Explores the uses Greeks made of myth and the uses to which we can put myth in recovering the richness of their culture. Sheds light on many aspects of Greek history and culture - including war, religion and sexuality.

List of contents

Preface, Abbreviations, Part I. Attitudes to myth, 1. Myth and mythology, 2. How myths work: the theories, 3. Greeks on myth, Part II. Myth and the past, 4. Myth and prehistory, 5. Myth and identity, Part III. Myth and religion, 6. Arrival at the cult-site, 7. Myth and initiation ritual, Part IV. The world of myth, 8. The world of myth, 9. Mythic society, Conclusion: what Greek myth is, Notes, Topic bibliography, General bibliography, Index of ancient authors, Index of modern authors, Index of peoples, characters and places, Index of topics and themes

About the author

Ken Dowden

Summary

Explores the uses Greeks made of myth and the uses to which we can put myth in recovering the richness of their culture. Sheds light on many aspects of Greek history and culture - including war, religion and sexuality.

Additional text

... a meticulously researched, straightforwardly argued and sympathetically presented account of the multi-faceted nature of myth ... It was a pleasure to read a book which provoked actual cries of pleasure in discovery! Highly recommended. - Joint Association of Classical Teachers Review

Product details

• Authors: Ken Dowden, Ken (University of Birmingham Dowden
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 02.11.2015
• EAN: 9781138133266
• ISBN: 978-1-138-13326-6
• No. of pages: 216
• Series: Approaching the Ancient World; Approaching the Ancient World
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Antiquity; HISTORY / Ancient / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Folklore & Mythology, LITERARY CRITICISM / Semiotics & Theory, LITERARY CRITICISM / Ancient & Classical, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Ancient / Greece, RELIGION / Ancient, Folklore, myths & legends, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Ancient Greek religion & mythology, Social and cultural history, Ancient History, Classical history / classical civilisation, Literary theory, Ancient Greek religion and mythology, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, Ancient religions & mythologies, Ancient religions and Mythologies, Folklore studies / Study of myth (mythology)