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Cover

World Mythology

The Illustrated Guide

Edited by Roy Willis
Foreword by Robert Walter

Publication Date - 29 June 2006

ISBN: 9780195307528

320 pages
Paperback
7 x 10 inches

In Stock

Description

The great myths of the world create meaning out of the fundamental events of human existence: birth, death, conflict, loss, reconciliation, the cycle of the seasons. They speak to us of life itself in voices still intelligible, yet compellingly strange and distant. World Mythology offers readers an authoritative and wide-ranging guide to these enduring mythological traditions, combining the pure narrative of the myths themselves with the background necessary for more complete understanding.

Here, noted mythology expert Roy Willis, brings together a team of nineteen leading scholars navigate a clear path through the complexities of myth as they distill the essence of each regional tradition and focus on the most significant figures and the most enthralling stories. All aspects of the world's key mythologies are covered, from tales of warring deities and demons to stories of revenge and metamorphosis; from accounts of lustful gods and star-crossed human lovers to journeys in the underworld. All are told at length and are accompanied by illuminating and readable introductory text. Also included are summaries of important theories about the origins and meaning of myth, and an examination of themes that recur across a range of civilizations.

Beautifully illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, works of art, charts, and maps, World Mythology offers readers the most accessible guide yet to the heritage of the world's imagination.

Features

  • Offers readers the most accessible guide yet to the heritage of the world's imagination
  • Beautifully illustrated with more than 500 color photographs, works of art, charts, and maps

About the Author(s)

Roy Willis, Ph.D., is Honorary Fellow in Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh.

Table of Contents

    Introduction
    Great Themes of Myth, Roy Willis
    A World Mythography, Roy Willis
    Egypt, John Baines and Geraldine Pinch
    The Middle East, J.R. Porter
    India, John Brockington
    China, John Chinnery
    Tibet and Mongolia, Martin Boord
    Japan, C. Scott Littleton
    Greece, Simon Goldhill
    Rome, Mary Beard
    The Celtic World, John MacInnes
    Northern Europe, Hilda Ellis Davidson
    Central and Eastern Europe, Faith Wigzell
    The Arctic Regions, David Riches and Piers Vitebsky
    North America, Guy Cooper
    Mesoamerica, Nicholas J. Saunders
    South America, Nicholas J. Saunders
    Africa, Roy Willis
    Australia, Robert Layton
    Oceania, James Weiner
    Southeast Asia, Ing-Britt Trankell and Roy Willis

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