World Mythology: The Illustrated Guide

by Roy Willis, Robert Walter

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195307528
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/29/2006
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	530,271
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

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

Table of Contents

IntroductionGreat Themes of Myth, Roy WillisA World Mythography, Roy WillisEgypt, John Baines and Geraldine PinchThe Middle East, J.R. PorterIndia, John BrockingtonChina, John ChinneryTibet and Mongolia, Martin BoordJapan, C. Scott LittletonGreece, Simon GoldhillRome, Mary BeardThe Celtic World, John MacInnesNorthern Europe, Hilda Ellis DavidsonCentral and Eastern Europe, Faith WigzellThe Arctic Regions, David Riches and Piers VitebskyNorth America, Guy CooperMesoamerica, Nicholas J. SaundersSouth America, Nicholas J. SaundersAfrica, Roy WillisAustralia, Robert LaytonOceania, James WeinerSoutheast Asia, Ing-Britt Trankell and Roy Willis

Editorial Reviews

"A comprehensive and comparative survey of the myths of nineteen cultural regions. "-"American Libraries

From the Publisher