Parallel Myths

Parallel Myths

â‚¬Å“Unusually accessible and useful . . . An eye-opener to readers into the universality and importance of myth in human history and culture.â‚¬Ââ‚¬"William E. Paden, Chair, Department of Religion, University of Vermont

For as long as human beings have had language, they have had myths. Mythology is our earliest form of literary expression and the foundation of all history and morality. Now, in Parallel Myths, classical scholar J. F. Bierlein gathers the key myths from all of the world's major traditions and reveals their common themes, images, and meanings.

Parallel MythsÂ introduces us to the star players in the world's great mythsâ‚¬"not only the twelve Olympians of Greek mythology, but the stern Norse Pantheon, the mysterious gods of India, the Egyptian Ennead, and the powerful deities of Native Americans, the Chinese, and the various cultures of Africa and Oceania. Juxtaposing the most potent stories and symbols from each tradition, Bierlein explores the parallels in such key topics as creation myths, flood myths, tales of love, morality myths, underworld myths, and visions of the Apocalypse. Drawing on the work of Joseph Campbell, Mircea Eliade, Carl Jung, Karl Jaspers, Claude LÂ©vi-Strauss, and others, Bierlein also contemplates what myths mean, how to identify and interpret the parallels in myths, and how mythology has influenced twentieth-century psychology, philosophy, anthropology, and literary studies.

â‚¬Å“A first-class introduction to mythology . . . Written with great clarity and sensitivity.â‚¬Ââ‚¬"John G. Selby, Associate Professor, Roanoke College
Country USA
Brand BALLANTINE GROUP
Manufacturer Ballantine Books
Binding Paperback
ItemPartNumber part_0345381467
Color Multicolor
ReleaseDate 1994-10-11
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780345381460

Country	USA
Brand	BALLANTINE GROUP
Manufacturer	Ballantine Books
Binding	Paperback
ItemPartNumber	part_0345381467
Color	Multicolor
ReleaseDate	1994-10-11
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780345381460

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