Myths and Legends: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings (DK Compact Culture Guides)

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First on our list of best overall mythology books is this four-book collection from History Brought Alive. By giving the four ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia ( Cradle of Civilization), and Egypt center stage, these books allow the audience to take a deep dive into each civilization without being too overwhelming. One can expect myths to be shared alongside recorded history in Greek, Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome: Fascinating Insights, Mythology, Stories, History & Knowledge From The World’s Most Interesting Civilizations & Empires.

Hardcover Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition): Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton

The king of one country threatened by the beast's arrival was advised to offer it a weekly sacrifice of seven virgins. In desperation the king eventually issued a proclamation offering his kingdom, his daughter's hand in marriage and a magic sword to anyone who could destroy the monster. Every Saturday at sunrise, the Stoor Worm would wake, open his cavernous mouth and yawn nine times. He would then demand a meal of seven virgins for as the old tales record: "although he was a venomous beast, he had a dainty taste."

If you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to Norse mythology without the fluff, look no further. The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion is as easy to understand as it is informative. That, and you’ll get 34 – trust us, that’s a lot – myths retold. These tales are thought to have a much more ancient provenance, being passed down through the generations by word of mouth by the early Welsh bards. These early Welsh or Celtic storytellers wandered Britain and beyond, swapping their many tales for board and lodging. The tales they told tended to be memorised only in outline, the details being filled in and embellished as the story unfolded. To tell new stories using ancient myths is to gently guide readers towards doors that lead into other times, places and peoples. If they find a door interesting, they can step through it via other books and stories, and spend more time in these wonderful worlds.Much of the mythology does span centuries of Chinese history as well. A sprinkling of monsters and Chinese gods within historical events is pretty standard. Chinese Mythology: Classic Stories of Chinese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters by Scott Lewis Parizi’s Japanese Mythology strives to build a bridge between Japanese mythology and the more mainstream mythologies of the Western world. First accounting for Japan’s history, Parizi goes on to tell the audience several myths and their interpretations. In case you’re worried about mispronouncing or misunderstanding words, the terminology you will need to know is provided.

Greek, Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome: Fascinating Insights, Mythology, Stories, History & Knowledge From The World’s Most Interesting Civilizations & Empires by History Brought Alive That’s right: Circe, the witch that turned Odysseus’ crew into swine and took the Greek hero as a lover. However, Circe is given depth in Miller’s work. By the end of the story, the reader will have gained a new perspective of Greek myth, the power of choice, and what it means to go against the grain. Today, there are 574 federally recognized tribes within the United States alone. Each one has its own stories, monsters, and heroes. It is estimated that during the pre-Columbian era, there were well over 1,000 different Native American cultures thriving throughout the modern U.S., which means that Native American mythology is incomparably vast. Grandmothers of the Light uniquely tells 21 stories from numerous Native American civilizations. Gunn Allen connects these myths and the goddesses within them to the shamanic practices of Medicine Women within indigenous societies. By emphasizing feminine spirituality, Gunn Allen opens the door for discussions on the role of women in ancient indigenous societies.

The Codex Borgia: A Full-Color Restoration of the Ancient Mexican Manuscript by Gisele Díaz and Alan Rodgers The Tain as translated by Thomas Kinsella offers maps and a pronunciation guide (we all know how handy those can be). Furthermore, it offers insight into the events before the Táin Bó Cuailnge. The story is thoroughly fleshed out, complemented with brush drawings by Louis Le Brocquy. Honestly, one can do no wrong by adding The Tain to their reading lists. Norse myths and legends were almost completely lost to us since the stories were, traditionally, told through oral tradition. Through the famous works of Snorri Sturluson and others, we have been able to salvage what knowledge we have of Norse myths.

A fantastic choice for students and those new to mythology overall, World Mythology: An Anthology of Great Myths and Epics (3rd Edition) is the book to have. Rosenberg has impressively gathered more than 50 epic legends from around the world. The audience will be able to learn about cultures across Greece, Rome, the Middle East, the Far East and Pacific islands, the British Isles, Northern Europe, Africa, and the Americas through a handful of their most treasured myths. As with most things, religion and beliefs shift with the passage of time. Some folklore is adapted to an ever-changing world. We’ve gathered four of the top-notch mythology books on ancient Egyptian myth. Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many by Erik Hornung Oftentimes called “Ireland’s greatest Epic,” the Tain (Táin Bó Cuailnge) is a part of the Ulster Cycle. It was first written in the 8th century CE. Exactly how these stories found their way into the written form is unclear, however the tales range from Celtic mythology to the better known accounts of the adventures of Arthur and his knights.Leave it to a former lecturer at Oxford University to write one of the best mythology books on the market!