Myths of Ancient Greece and Rome
The reason why I like my myths as they are and not through someone's open interpretation or ordering is because the author usually tries to prove his POV with half-infos. So far, this is what Berens is doing... He doesn't have to mention what we believe nowadays or actually back in his days and he doesn't have to mention the bible. But I won't judge the book solely on the intro.
This book is just an overview of the myths, very vague. I wouldn't suggest it to serious students. It's very much censu
This book is just an overview of the myths, very vague. I wouldn't suggest it to serious students. It's very much censured, apparently, it was written for school boys a while ago. That bit about Endymion and Selene made me laugh. Sure, she only watched over him as he slept. If you want to get serious, don't read this one. I recommend, "The Greek Myths" by Robert Graves.
The myths themselves are very fascinating. Although the book doesn't elaborate on the myths, you will get an overview of the characters and stories. The chronology is in order of appearance or of importance. Half-way through the book, you'll read about the less interesting gods and then more about their temples, sacrifices, festivals, deities, humans, war, etc. You will read everything from shape shifters, to angry gods, to the many human sacrifices. I like to read the myths from time to time to keep them in mind and remember the details. Like, how awesome was it that Hercules traveled all over the place, through the European Iberian peninsula of Spain. And did you know that Helen's beauty was known everywhere since she was only 9? She was forcibly abducted by Theseus and Pirithöus when she was only 9?! Fortunately she was rescued by her older brothers. And of course, there is much more to the story of Helen of Troy. There is just so much info to retain. Many stories come from these myths, like the sword and the stone comes from mythology, king Midas, and so on. Interesting how the Romans used to believe that people were accompanied from birth to death with a good genius and a malignant genius.
