Great Myths of the World (Dover Books on Anthropology and Folklore)

A treasury of tales from ancient myth and legend, this collection was assembled and recounted by a well-known and much-loved storyteller. All of the legendary heroic and tragic figures of the ancient world appear here, in myths derived from Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Hellenic, Latin, Celtic, Nordic, Mesoamerican, and other traditions. Larger-than-life figures populate these stories--Isis and Osiris, Gilgamesh, Hercules and Pandora, Loki, and Quetzalcoatl. Once regarded as sacred lore, their adventures, misfortunes, and rewards form integral and active elements of the cultures from which they arose, and they continue to resonate with a deep human significance.
Poet, playwright, and a key figure in the Irish Literary Renaissance, Padraic Colum was a prolific writer. Best known for his adaptations of Celtic tales, and particularly those for younger readers, he also addressed himself to a wider audience. A perfect book to inspire passion for ancient mythology, this volume can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.