Arachne's Threads: Why the Greeks Told Myths and Why They Endure
Apr 2027 · Princeton University Press
Ebook
200
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
infoThis book will become available on April 13, 2027. You will not be charged until it is released.
About this ebook
From a leading expert, a fascinating introduction to ancient Greek myths and why we can’t stop retelling them in new ways
Did the ancient Greeks really believe in their myths? Arachne’s Threads addresses this and other questions as it explores why the Greeks created myths and why we still love them more than two millennia later. Sarah Iles Johnston, one of the world’s leading experts on Greek mythology, offers an engrossing and provocative account of Greek myths and their capacity to convey ideas, in antiquity as well as now.
Although Greek myths may seem eternal and unchanging, Arachne’s Threads demonstrates that it is in fact their striking malleability that ensures their continuing relevance: the Persephone we meet in today’s novels and comics is decidedly different from the one the Greeks knew. Along the way, the book discusses the important cultural work that Greek myths did by considering how they helped to build belief in the gods’ existence, why those gods were so often portrayed as treating humans badly, and how the Greeks tweaked cross-cultural stories such as that of the Great Flood. It challenges some popular misunderstandings of myths, narrates surprising versions of familiar tales, traces the changing stories of Arachne and Icarus across the centuries, and considers contemporary reinterpretations of myths. The book ends with a close look at how the Odyssey works, arguing that Odysseus creates his own myth and emphasizing the enigmatic nature of his wife, Penelope, who has her own tales to tell.
Enlightening and entertaining, Arachne’s Threads will deepen your understanding and appreciation of the enchanting stories and characters of Greek mythology.
Did the ancient Greeks really believe in their myths? Arachne’s Threads addresses this and other questions as it explores why the Greeks created myths and why we still love them more than two millennia later. Sarah Iles Johnston, one of the world’s leading experts on Greek mythology, offers an engrossing and provocative account of Greek myths and their capacity to convey ideas, in antiquity as well as now.
Although Greek myths may seem eternal and unchanging, Arachne’s Threads demonstrates that it is in fact their striking malleability that ensures their continuing relevance: the Persephone we meet in today’s novels and comics is decidedly different from the one the Greeks knew. Along the way, the book discusses the important cultural work that Greek myths did by considering how they helped to build belief in the gods’ existence, why those gods were so often portrayed as treating humans badly, and how the Greeks tweaked cross-cultural stories such as that of the Great Flood. It challenges some popular misunderstandings of myths, narrates surprising versions of familiar tales, traces the changing stories of Arachne and Icarus across the centuries, and considers contemporary reinterpretations of myths. The book ends with a close look at how the Odyssey works, arguing that Odysseus creates his own myth and emphasizing the enigmatic nature of his wife, Penelope, who has her own tales to tell.
Enlightening and entertaining, Arachne’s Threads will deepen your understanding and appreciation of the enchanting stories and characters of Greek mythology.
From a leading expert, a fascinating introduction to ancient Greek myths and why we can’t stop retelling them in new ways
Did the ancient Greeks really believe in their myths? Arachne’s Threads addresses this and other questions as it explores why the Greeks created myths and why we still love t...
About the author
Sarah Iles Johnston is the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Religion in the Departments of Classics and Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University, where she teaches courses on ancient Greek mythology and religion. Her books include Gods and Mortals: Ancient Greek Myths for Modern Readers (Princeton), which retells 140 myths.
Sarah Iles Johnston is the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Religion in the Departments of Classics and Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University, where she teaches courses on ancient Greek mythology and religion. Her books include Gods and Mortals: Ancient Greek Myt...
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
