Interpreting the Images of Greek Myths: An Introduction

by Klaus Junker, Annemarie Künzl-Snodgrass, Anthony Snodgrass

Overview

From the age of Homer until late antiquity the culture of ancient Greece and Rome was permeated by images of Greek myths. Gods and heroes were represented as statues, on vase and wall paintings, on temples, on sarcophagi as well as on other media. This book offers, for the first time, a concise introduction into the interpretation of images of Greek myths. Its main aim is to make the pictorial versions of the myths comprehensible on their own terms. Ancient artists were well aware of the potential – but also the limitations – of these 'silent' images and of the strategies that made them 'speak' to the audience/viewer. The book combines detailed explanation of theoretical and methodological issues with exhaustive discussion of case studies. It will be useful and stimulating for all undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in classical mythology and ancient art.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521720076
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/24/2011
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Klaus Junker is Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Classical Archaeology, Mainz University. He has published extensively on ancient Greek sculpture, architecture and mythological imagery as well as on the history of classical archaeology.

Table of Contents

1. Achilles and Patroklos in the Trojan War: an introductory case study; 2. Definitions: myth and mythological image; 3. The production of myths and of mythological images - stages in the historical development; 4. Types of monument and fields of function; 5. Methods; 6. Content and intention.

Editorial Reviews

"...leaves the reader with many thoughts that yield a fresh and well- instructed way to view myths depicted in ancient art." —BMCR

From the Publisher