Greek Mythology: An Introduction / Edition 1

by Fritz Graf

Overview

This revised translation of Fritz Graf's highly acclaimed introduction to Greek mythology offers a chronological account of the principal Greek myths that appear in the surviving literary and artistic sources and concurrently documents the history of interpretation of Greek mythology from the 17th century to the present. First surveying the various definitions of myth that have been advanced, Graf proceeds to examine topics such as the relationship between Greek myths and epic poetry, the connection between particular myths and shrines or holy festivals, the use of myth in Greek song and tragedy, and the uses and interpretations of myth by philosophers and allegorists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801853951
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	11/01/1993
Edition description:	English Language Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Fritz Graf is professor of philology in the Seminar for Classical Philology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. Thomas Marier is in the Department of Classics at the Johns Hopkins University.

Editorial Reviews

Graf's Greek Mythology immediately established itself, when it was first published in German in 1985, as the best introduction then available. Historical in three senses—a brief history of theories of myth, a view of the historically changing roles of myth, a sense of the processes of inventing, forgetting, and renewing myth—the book's strength lies in its combining an understanding of myth as essentially narrative, with an appreciation of the issue of authorship . . . This is a new edition, with footnotes, numerous minor alterations to the text, and a thoroughly updated bibliography.
—Times Literary Supplement

The best general introduction to Greek mythology in English.
—Lowell Edmunds, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Full of compelling insights . . . A superior work on Greek mythology done by a first-rate scholar.
—Paul Properzio, New England Classical Newsletter and Journal

From the Publisher

Graf's Greek Mythology immediately established itself, when it was first published in German in 1985, as the best introduction then available. Historical in three senses -- a brief history of theories of myth, a view of the historically changing roles of myth, a sense of the processes of inventing, forgetting, and renewing myth -- the book's strength lies in its combining an understanding of myth as essentially narrative, with an appreciation of the issue of authorship... This is a new edition, with footnotes, numerous minor alterations to the text, and a thoroughly updated bibliography.

Times Literary Supplement

This revised translation of Graf's popular German text offers a chronological account of principal Greek myths appearing in surviving literary and artistic sources. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

The best general introduction to Greek mythology in English.

Bryn Mawr Classical Review - Lowell Edmunds

Full of compelling insights . . . A superior work on Greek mythology done by a first-rate scholar.

New England Classical Newsletter and Journal - Paul Properzio