Myth in the Ancient World provides a complete introduction to this important field of study. It contains a selection of readings from ancient texts and a comprehensive glossary designed for readers meeting the people and places of the ancient world for the first time.
The book asks what a myth is and how it differs from other narratives, such as legends and folktales. It also looks at interpretations of meaning in mythology.
The focus is on Ancient Greek myth, but Roman reinterpretation of Greek stories and the invention of Roman myth are also discussed. Texts from Egypt, the peoples of Mesopotamia, and the Jewish traditions found in the Bible broaden the context and deepen our understanding of myth. The book examines the relevance of key themes to the cultures in which the myths arose or in which they were adapted and retold. Looking at the reflection of the ancient world through myth helps us to identify important religious, social and political aspects of ancient cultures.