Greek Myths. From Titans to Icarus and Odysseus

Considering traditional folk myths to be barbaric and immoral creations, Plato demanded their philosophical purification from rudeness and immorality, meanwhile Greek legends — from the story of the Minotaur to the tale of the Trojan horse, from Zeus to Prometheus, from Hercules to the Argonauts — had a tremendous influence on culture for thousands of years. These legends about deities and monsters, heroes and villains formed the foundation of the art of one of the greatest civilizations on our planet and therefore have survived through the ages. This publication presents the evolution of Greek mythology from the creation of the world and gods to mortal heroes, detailing stories about Hades and his underworld kingdom, about Zeus and Hera, Aphrodite and Poseidon. It also describes how the myths of ancient Greeks were embodied in written texts, visual arts, and architecture, the inheritance of Greek mythology by the culture of Ancient Rome and medieval Europe, the interest in it during the Renaissance and its enduring appeal today, as we continue to refer in everyday life to Achilles, Pandora, and Narcissus, while the gods, heroes, and monsters of Greek legends are part of what could be called the universally familiar "popular mythology." Illustrated with 180 color and black-and-white photographs, images of works of art, and maps, the book "Greek Myths. From Titans to Icarus and Odysseus" is intended for everyone who is interested in legends and ancient civilizations.