Arthur Cotterell Books

A volume of unprecedented scale from one of the most respected academic and writer on comparative mythology, sumptuously illustrated throughout.

An original and unique work of reference which breaks new ground by treating for the first time the classical era of the Old World as a whole. Never before have the key peoples and events of Greece, Rome, Persia, India, and China been encompassed in a single volume, despite the fact their civilizations had much in common and laid the foundations of present-day Europe and Asia.Arthur Cotterell asserts that for too long Greece and Rome have been regarded as the classical world and its study isolated from even the major powers that confronted the Greeks and Romans in Iran and India. Today we are more aware of the complex interrelations that once existed between the Greeks and the Persians, the Macedonians and the Indians, the Romans and both the Persians and the Sasanians. The persistent isolation of China, on the other hand, cut off by mountains and deserts from India, makes the classical experience there so useful for comparison and contrast. The virtual absence of slavery in China is but one of its startling features.Comprehensive, wide-ranging and lavishly illustrated, The Pimlico Dictionary of Classical Civilizations provides a fascinating overview and a detailed analyis of the formative period of the world, making it indispensible for both students and the general reader.

Highlights the chief myths of the world in seven main sections--West Asia, South and Central Asia, East Asia, Europe, Africa, America, and Oceania.

s/t: The Ancient Myths & Legends of Greece & Rome An A-Z of the mythical figures of the classical cultures, detailing characters, locations and sites of interest, significant events, stories and symbols.

This volume features the ancient tales of three compelling cultures: the mythology of Classical Greece and Rome; the fairytale myths of the Celtic world; and, from Northern Europe, tales of Germanic gods, Nordic warriors, and fearsome giants. Arthur Cotterell, an internationally renowned expert on mythology across cultures, describes central mythical figures with wit and authority, retelling ancient legends as spellbinding, intriguing accounts of past ages.The ancient tales in this volume are brought to life through a wealth of imagery that spans fifteen centuries of fine art; illustrations also include specially-commissioned photographs and drawings that focus on important and recurring mythological themes, including Oracles and Prophecies, Magic and Enchantment, Voyagers, Heroes, Giants, and Sorcery and Spells.

Provides a number of myths and lore from around around the world.

This unique reference work treats the classical mythologies of the Old World as a cohesive whole, encompassing the mythologies of Greece, Rome, Persia, India, and China for the first time. Arthur Cotterell explores the commonalities among these traditions, particularly through their Indo-European roots, revealing deeper insights through comparison and contrast. The parallels between Greek and Indian myths are particularly striking, highlighting differing attitudes toward concepts like heroism, love, and death. The emphasis on ascetic power in Indian mythology stands out, as does the unique nature of Greek tragedies, such as Oedipus, whose heroic failure is intriguingly linked to his physical condition. Myths are not merely recounted; their complexities are interpreted within their cultural contexts, illustrating the significant influence of Zoroaster on Persian mythology and its later impact on Christian thought. The work features over 200 original illustrations commissioned to depict how gods, heroes, and other figures were envisioned during the classical period, based on contemporary art rather than later interpretations. Combined with well-crafted entries and an informative introduction, this resource serves as an essential handbook for both students and general readers.

The book offers an engaging examination of Ancient Greek and Roman mythologies through over 150 alphabetical entries detailing gods, goddesses, and heroes, including figures from Agamemnon to Zeus. It emphasizes key themes like The Lovers of Zeus, Forces of Nature, and Monsters and Fabulous Beasts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of these rich mythological narratives.

s/t: An A-Z Guide to the Myths and Legends of the Ancient World* A comprehensive reference to the extraordinary tales and legends of the ancient world's most fascinating and beguiling mythologies. * An authoritative A to Z of the mythical figures of two continents, with copious cross-references. * Over 1,000 alphabetical entries describing the central mythical figures of each culture and their importance to the ancient civilizations of their day. * Beautifully illustrated with over 1,000 images spanning fifteen centures of fine art, from the ancient world to the present day, including specially commissioned artworks. * Superb pictorial spreads on the mythical themes and symbols central to each culture.* Lively and informed narrative by two expert authorities in their fields* Timeless in scope and appeal, a classic and enduring reference work*******************************************************************Contents:The Myths of Greece & RomeThe Myths of the Celtic WorldThe Myths of the Nordic LandsThe Myths of Egypt and West AsiaThe Myths of South and Central AsiaThe Myths of East AsiaPreviously published in two separate volumes, Encyclopedia of Mythology and Legends & Myths of India, Egypt, China & Japan

DK Eyewitness Books -Ancient China Photographs and artwork chronicle three thousand years of Chinese history, from the earliest dynasty to the twentieth century, and examine some of the contributions China has made to the world. Full description

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Part of a major new home reference library, the Encyclopedia of World Mythology is an intriguing collection of myths and beliefs from all over the globe, offering a wealth of information on the religions, customs, and influences of history's most fascinating cultures and civilizations.

Language : English.

In this exciting volume, the stormy mythologies of the Nordic world are brought to life. Complete with 160 colour images, including superb fine art paintings of the classic stories, this evocative and detailed encyclopedia of the myths and legends of the Nordic peoples will provide the perfect introduction to this fascinating subject for students, school libraries and the general reader who loves passionate tales of romance and derring-do.

Offers the cultural history that ranges from prehistoric times to the present - from the disunity of Pre-Imperial China to the renaissance of the Sung and Tang dynasties, from the Mongol conquest to Tiananmen Square and the 1989 student revolt.

Spanning some 4,000 years and drawing anecdotes and quotations from ancient sources, Where War Began is a lively narrative of the origins of war in a region that is still afflicted by war and that still shapes global politics.

This encyclopaedia provides an overview of the prehistoric world and an analysis of separate and ancient civilizations. The art, architecture, language, mythology and chronology of early societies such as ancient Egypt, Troy, India, West Africa, South America and Europe are discussed.

s/t: A Wide Ranging Guide to Myths, Legends, Deities and Spirits The powerful gods of Greece, Rome, and Scandinavia, the more mystical deities of Buddhist and Hindu India, and the stern spirits of the African and American continents all reflect very different civilizations, yet they also demonstrate the unity of mankind in its fundamental need for explanations of the unknown. Arthur Cotterell sets out clearly the chief myths of the world and explains why different mythologies arose in different lands. * Comprehensive coverage in seven main sections of West Asia, South and Central Asia, East Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and Oceania * Clear and informative section introductions highlight the history and lifestyle of ancient peoples and the landscape in which they lived * Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and maps of each key area `An excellent reference book, as well as a good book for dipping into at leisure.' Greek Review

Vom eiszeitlichen Peking-Menschen über die mythenreiche Epoche der Gottkaiser, das Goldene Zeitalter des Konfuzius und die Gründung des "Reichs der Mitte" bis zu dem alles vernichtenden Mongolensturm, der den chinesischen Kaiserdynastien vorübergehend ein Ende setzte, spannt sich der Bogen dieses faszinierenden Buches, das historischer Bericht, archäologische Dokumentation und Kunstband in einem ist.Arthur Cotterell, einer der namhaftesten englischen Sinologen, und seine Frau Yong Yap, eine chinesische Historikerin, erzählen die Geschichte der 5000 Jahre alten chinesischen Kultur und zeigen gleichzeitig in einer Fülle einzigartiger Fotos erstmals auch die bisher unzugänglichen Schätze chinesischer Staatssammlungen. Als bedeutendstes Zeugnis dieser am längsten lebendig gebliebenen Kultur mag vielen die jüngst erfolgte Entdeckung jener riesigen Grabanlage erscheinen, die mehrere tausend aus Ton geformte Kriegerfiguren enthielt - die Armee des ersten Kaisers von China. Es war der sensationellste archäologische Fund seit der Ausgrabung Tut-ench-Amuns.

Kniha představuje svět dávných mytologií tří významných kultur: klasickou mytologii antického Řecka a Říma, pohádkové mýty světa Keltů a příběhy germánských bohů, severských válečníků a strašlivých obrů ze severní Evropy. Jednotlivá hesla zahrnují postavy, důležitá místa, významné události, příběhy a symboly. Dávné příběhy oživuje bohatství obrazového materiálu, jež představuje patnáct století umění – od antiky až po speciálně objednané moderní ilustrace.

Mýty nie sú iba jednoduchou zbierkou príbehov, ktoré nám odkázali predkovia. Predstavujú fundamentálnu súčasť každej kultúry, minulej i súčasnej, a ich vplyv je ešte vždy badateľný v našich jazykoch, náboženstvách i obyčajoch. V mnohých končinách sveta predstavy i obrady nerozlučne späté s mýtmi zostávajú podstatným prvkom všedného života i kultúry. V tejto mimoriadnej encyklopédii nájde čitateľ informácie o mýtoch z celej zemegule: od dôverne známych Odyseových príbehov, bojov severoeurópskych bohov Thora a Odina cez príbehy o legendárnom kráľovi Artušovi a o jeho rytieroch až po slovanské rozprávky o Snehulienke a Babe Jage.

Výběr z nejznámmějších irských a velšských mýtů a legend.

Tato jedinečná kniha mapuje vzestup a pád starověkých válečných a závodních vozů od Británie po Koreu. Obsahuje mnoho ilustrací a nabízí fascinující pohled na tuto vojenskou techniku a její odkaz, který se projevuje i v hollywoodské filmové tvorbě. Válečné vozy změnily podobu starověkého válečného umění, ovládly bojiště v Přední Asii, Egyptě, Indii a Číně. V bitvě u Kádeše v roce 1274 př. Kr. se faraon Ramesse II. málem stal obětí Chetitů, když se na bojišti sešlo na pět tisíc vozů. Indické eposy a čínské kroniky popisují jejich užití, zatímco Homérova Ílias vypráví o řeckých hrdinech útočících na Tróju. Alexandr Veliký čelil vozatajstvu v Indii a Julius Caesar se postavil britským vozům na kentské pláži. Ačkoli dvoukolé vozy byly oblíbené, rychlá jízda skýtala nebezpečí; faraon Tutanchamon pravděpodobně zahynul při havárii. Vozatajské závody přitahovaly statisíce diváků, a i císař Nero se účastnil, přičemž vyhrál, i když spadl. Rivalita fanoušků často vedla k násilnostem, jako v Konstantinopoli v roce 532 po Kr., kde zemřelo 30 000 lidí. Přesto se objevovaly hvězdy jako Porfyrios, který si udržel postavení šampiona až do šedesátky, a jeho úspěch ukazuje, že vítězství záviselo na důvtipu, nikoli pouze na síle.