Classical Mythology

The book is intended both for classroom use and general reader, as an introduction into classical mythology, combined with the elements of theoretical analysis, and augmented with cross-cultural comparative data. Seminal theoretical ideas are presented in succinct, accessible manner, pervious enough for the reader to grasp the essence and apply it for further interpretations of rich mythological material, both classical and international.

While covering the major body of Greco-Roman mythology, the focal attention is paid to the legends most crucial to European literary, philosophical and artistic tradition. The primary sources are indicated throughout the text.

Begun with a brief discussion of the nature of mythic cognition and the major theories on the subject, followed by a brief outline of Greco-Roman civilization, the book proceeds from the myths of Creation and synopsis of Greco-Roman pantheon to the archetypal theme of the Hero-myth, which is in common to both the myths and folktales of the world, and is rising from the universal Rites of Passage (initiations from childhood to adulthood).

Further discussion of heroic legends leads the reader through the deeper levels of the Rites of Passage to the realm of the great Mysteries of death and rebirth, descending from the Neolithic Eleusinian Mysteries of agriculture to the Paleolithic mythology of primeval hunters, with its cult of inexorable Lady of the Beasts, Mother-Lover-Destroyer.

Next, concluding step is the grand myths of tragedy, resulting from syncretism of deeply archaic motifs with centuries of literary, philosophical and psychological elaborations, and immortalized in major masterpieces by ancient tragedians. Discussion of classical saga culminates in the epic of the Trojan War, which epitomizes ancient mythology, beginning from the stories of Creation and leading to the historical foundation of future Rome. It provides the backdrop of ancient literature, ideology, and European aftermath of the classical tradition.

The book includes auxiliary surveys and charts.