The Encyclopedia of World Mythology

In this volume all the ancient mythologies are brought to life. Over 1000 colour images make this book a guide to the fabulous myths and legends of the Western world, and to the powerful pantheon of gods and goddesses of the East. In the first three sections Arthur Cotterell describes the central mythical figures of Ancient Greece and Rome, the Cletic heroes and the Nordic gods. He retells the ancient legends in an accessible style that allows the myth to stand first and foremost as a spell-binding tale, as well as an intriguing account of a historic age. Pictorial features focus on important and recurring themes, such as oracles and prophecies, voyages and quests, heroes, giants, spells and others. In the second half of the book Rachel Storm covers the three great mythologies of the ancient Eastern world, Egypt and West Asia; India and Central Asia; and China and East Asia. Special features here include black magic, demons, yin and yang, the mother goddess, dragons and shamans.