World of myths / [compiled and] introduced by Marina Warner.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Warner, Marina, 1946-

Series:

Legendary past

The legendary past

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mythology.

Physical Description:

xiv, 410 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm.

Edition:

First University of Texas Press edition.

Place of Publication:

Austin : University of Texas Press, 2003.

Summary:

Here retold in all their original dramatic power are some of the most exciting and influential of all world myths, drawn from a fascinating range of ancient cultures. Epic struggles and heroic adventures, passionate jealousies and psychological deceptions, comic mistakes and tragic destinies -- these fabulous tales are all part of our common legendary past. Authoritatively translated from their original languages, they tell of gods and goddesses, heroes and villains, monsters and mortals whose compelling stories continue to speak to our imagination across the millennia, refashioned for the modern world in the latest novels, films, television dramas, pop songs, comics and computer games. This book is a compilation edition of five titles from the successful series The Legendary Past. Themes include the creation of the world and mankind and their ultimate destruction. Each author describes the cultural background, written sources and continuing legacy of the major myths, illustrated throughout by archaeological and artistic evidence. Linking these supernatural worlds is a new introduction from the award-winning writer Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, and in addition there is a specially compiled glossary giving brief definitions of the mythical characters and creatures whose traditions have contributed to our own legendary past.

Contents:

Mesopotamian Myths / Henrietta McCall 1

Persian Myths / Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis 79

Chinese Myths / Anne Birrell 157

Aztec and Maya Myths / Karl Taube 235

Inca Myths / Gary Urton 313

Map of the Mesopotamian world 4

Discovery and decipherment 7

Definitions and literary tradition 15

Gods and mortals, authors and audience 23

Gilgamesh and the Flood 36

The Epic of Creation 50

Shorter myths 58

Myth and meaning 72.

Notes:

"Published in co-operation with British Museum Press."

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0292702043

OCLC:

51755792