Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity

Susan Woodford's book is a brief introduction to the sanctum of ancient art, to the world of interpretations and the search for the perfect form. Ancient masters lived in an era of myths and were creators of their own, experimenting with different techniques and materials, debating the ideas and plots of authoritative mythological cycles (about the Trojan War, Hercules, the Argonauts, the heroes of Thebes, etc.). With great attention to detail and context, the author shows why works of art became not only objects of trade and luxury but also a way of interpreting historical events, political declarations, as well as intricate riddles and puzzles. By finding keys to the images of ancient artists, readers will learn how the world of chaos, wars, and violence was rethought, how the images of monsters and murderers were humanized, how touching family portraits of willful centaur monsters arose, etc. The meticulous analysis of specific images undertaken by the author will help us understand them, but will not dispel their mystery; on the contrary, it will remind us of the need to think and transcend mechanical, stereotypical perceptions of overly familiar plots.