History in Review - Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece

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History in Review

Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece
By Emma J. Stafford. (Los Angeles, The J. Paul Getty Museum: 2004. Pg. 144. 110 color illustrations.) ISBN: 0-89236-773-3.

Reviewed by Auggie Moore - December 3, 2004

Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece is a beautifully illustrated book by Emma J. Stafford. In this delightful book, Stafford explores the cultural heritage of Ancient Greece through the myth and art of this rich civilization. The text is organized into five thematic categories:

Image and Imagination - this section offers a brief overview of ancient Greek history, art, architecture, and religion which allows the reader to put the information provided in the rest of the book into context in regard to the overall geography and history of the ancient Greek world.
The World of the Hellenes - this section provides details on the geo-politics make-up of the region, the roles played by the various groups that inhabited the Hellenic world, including women, slaves, poets, and philosophers.
The Gods of Olympos - this section offers an overview of the main gods in the Greek pantheon along with their histories.
Pride, Fate, and Glory - this section details the stories and myths surrounding the numerous Greek heroes that were so much a part of Greek literature - including Achilles, Odysseus, Herakles (Hercules), Jason, and Perseus. Greek monsters and demons are also discussed.
The Life of the Spirit covers the religious observances of the ancient Greeks, and the role they played in Greek society.

Life, Myth, and Art in Ancient Greece will serve readers of all ages as a general guidebook to the world of the ancient Greeks. It also serves as a general introduction to the vast body of literature, philosophy, art, architecture, mythology, religious works created by the ancient Greeks. This information will help the reader to understand the political, social, and cultural underpinnings of the Hellenic civilization and to appreciate the influence that it had on Western thought.

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