Arthur Cotterell Book order

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

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.

In this important volume three ancient mythologies are brought to life: the Classical mythology of ancient Greece and Rome; the fairytale myths of the Celtic world; and from Northern Europe, tales of Germanic gods, Nordic warriors and fearsome giants. For maximum accessibility each entry is listed in A-Z order, detailing characters, locations, and sites of interest, significant events, stories and symbols. Pictorial features also focus on recurring mythological themes, such as Oracles, Magic, Voyages, Heroes, and Spells, making this book universal in theme and timeless in appeal. This is a lavish guide to the classic mythologies

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.

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.

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

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.