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Thread: Greek mythology, where to begin?

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    Greek mythology, where to begin?

    Hey I'm interested in reading some Greek mythology such as the story of Icarus who flew too close to the sun and melted his waxen wings or Medusa.

    Does anyone know what I should look to read?

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    Ditsy Pixie Niamh's Avatar
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    Dont forget to read Assops fables...well he was greek anyway!
    http://aesopfables.com/aesopsel.html
    Last edited by Niamh; 09-08-2008 at 06:53 AM.
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    Robert Graves wrote a book on Greek Mythology I think

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    Registered User jgweed's Avatar
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    Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.

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    Pičce de Résistance Scheherazade's Avatar
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    Edith Hamilton's Mythology: http://www.amazon.com/Mythology-Edit.../dp/0316341517

    Fun to read, witout making things more complicated than they already are.
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  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by WICKES View Post
    Robert Graves wrote a book on Greek Mythology I think
    I have this, it is OK, but I'm sure there are better ones out there, although many people like it.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greek-Myths-...0898108&sr=1-1
    Last edited by LitNetIsGreat; 09-08-2008 at 02:23 PM.

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    Asa Nisi Masa mayneverhave's Avatar
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    Ovid's Metamorphoses

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    Ataraxia bazarov's Avatar
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    One and only Gustav Schwab.
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    Kafkaesque johann cruyff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bazarov View Post
    One and only Gustav Schwab.
    Yep, a great start.
    Noću, u intimnom, poluglasnom razgovoru sa samim sobom, nikako ne mogu zapravo logički opravdati zašto se u posljednje vrijeme toliko uzrujavam zbog ljudske gluposti.

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    Registered User DapperDrake's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neely View Post
    I have this, it is OK, but I'm sure there are better ones out there, although many people like it.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greek-Myths-...0898108&sr=1-1
    Yes I have this book, its comprehensive and well put together but rather dry, I only tackle it when I'm in a studious mood and have time on my hands.
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    Bibliophile Drkshadow03's Avatar
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    I have a review of Graves's collection on my blog.

    I agree with both its weaknesses mentioned here and its strengths. Though, I add to its weaknesses in the blog review. It's best used as a reference book that will lead you to the Greek and Roman documenters of the written version of the myths. You then can get translations.
    "You understand well enough what slavery is, but freedom you have never experienced, so you do not know if it tastes sweet or bitter. If you ever did come to experience it, you would advise us to fight for it not with spears only, but with axes too." - Herodotus

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  12. #12
    I also have Ovid's Metamorphoses trans by Melville from Oxford World Classics which I find more of an enjoyable read. It depends what you are looking for, the Graves is better for reference with some good notes, but if you are just looking to get stuck into the stories then you would be better with this or some of the ones listed above.

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    Bulfinch

    Is there a way I can download all the bullfinch stuff as an E-book or will I have to save each bit one by one?

  14. #14
    Bibliophile Drkshadow03's Avatar
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    "You understand well enough what slavery is, but freedom you have never experienced, so you do not know if it tastes sweet or bitter. If you ever did come to experience it, you would advise us to fight for it not with spears only, but with axes too." - Herodotus

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    another suggestion is a book called Classical Mythology by A.R. Hope Moncrieff. it is not a refference book. the myths are all in short story form and easy to read. they are a good introduction.

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