Profiles In Greek & Roman Mythology
AchilliesISBN 9781584157069List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockAchilles was a powerful Greek warrior and hero famed for his swift-footedness. His mother, the sea goddess Thetis, tried to make him immortal, but one spot his heel was vulnerable. His role in the Trojan War was the center of Homerís The Iliad in fact, it was prophesied that the Greeks couldn't win the war without him. Once he arrived, however, his wrath began to take over. This brave and confident warrior let pride and a hot temper get in his way, and it led to tragedy. Read how the great hero had great decisions to make, and how his anger often blinded him from wiser choices. |
ApolloISBN 9781584157045List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockApollo was a god who seemed to be skilled at everything except love. He was the god of music and light, as well as a teacher of medicine. He told of the future and even transformed himself into a dolphin. As the son of the powerful Zeus, and a twin to the goddess Artemis, Apollo spent much of his time chasing the things he wanted. The one thing that always seemed to get away, however, was the woman he loved. One woman was turned into a tree just as he reached her, while another was murdered at his command for falling in love with another. Apollo played an important part in the Trojan War. A series of sports competitions, known as the Pythian Games, was held every four years to honor this god. |
ArtemisISBN 9781584155553List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockThe virgin goddess Artemis ruled the hunt, preferring the quiet wilderness to society. As an immortal, she lived a life mortal Greek women never could—one that kept her away from men and marriage. Men (and women) who crossed the boundaries that protected her virginity were punished, often with their lives. But Artemis’s boundaries also protected Greek women during childhood and childbirth. As a virgin warrior, women prayed to her to keep them safe when a husband could not. |
AthenaISBN 9781584155560List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockThe ancient Greeks worshiped a complex group of deities, weaving their characters into timeless tales of love, heroism, and intrigue. Plays, poems, paintings, and sculptures commemorating these tales have survived for centuries. Even as world religions and scientific knowledge have evolved, bringing with them new beliefs and understanding of the world, the ancient Greek tales continue to provide a basic foundation for Western thought and sharp insight into the human psyche. Athena appeared in many Greek myths, having major roles in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and in ancient plays dealing with justice and democracy. Born from Zeus’ head, she was a contradictory figure in many ways. She was the goddess of war and a protector of civilization. She was capable of being a good friend to humans, yet she could also be fiercely vindictive and hand out punishment to men and women alike without a second thought. Temples were raised to her throughout Greece—including the famous Parthenon. The city of Athens, a military power and cultural center, embodied the goddess for whom it was named. |
Dionysus9781584155577List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockDionysus, the Greek god of wine, was a figure of many different personalities. Was he the mellow, smiling youth who gaily spread his gift of wine all over the world . . . or was he the fierce warrior who subjugated entire nations to his unbending will? Even his gift of wine reflected his dual nature. Wine could make people feel happy and good about themselves. Yet it could also turn them into mindless beasts who acted without thought or reason. The only god with a mortal mother, hated by Hera and driven mad by her, Dionysus figures in some of the most well-known tales of all time, such as the story of King Midas. His influence is vast and his importance to modern cultures remains strong, even while some of the other Olympians have faded into the pages of history. Dionysus has survived for thousands of years. He will likely survive for thousands of years more. |
HerculesISBN 9781584155539List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockHercules was the son of Zeus, the chief god of the ancient Greeks, and a mortal woman. He had a reputation for great strength. This strength was apparent even as an infant, when he strangled two large snakes. His strength also landed him in trouble. In a fit of anger, he killed his wife and sons. For his punishment, he had to serve his cousin Eurystheus. Eurystheus was afraid of Hercules and wanted him to be killed, so he ordered Hercules to do Twelve Labors. Though these Labors were very dangerous, Hercules accomplished all of them. Even though the Labors had been completed, Hercules kept getting into trouble. Finally his luck ran out. His mortal part, which he had from his mother, died. He was changed into an immortal and joined the other gods and goddesses on Mt. Olympus. |
JasonISBN 9781584155522List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockThe voyage of Jason and the heroes aboard the Argo is one of the more famous Greek myths. Jason’s quest is to find the golden fleece and bring it back to his homeland. En route, the Argonauts—as he and his companions are called—have many frightening adventures as they travel far from home. With the help of the gods and of Medea, who has fallen in love with him, Jason meets the challenge. But when Jason and Medea marry and return to Greece, their life will turn tragic. As readers follow the suspenseful tale of Jason and the Argonauts, they will glimpse a lively Greek culture—and in these characters, they may recognize a piece of themselves. |
OdysseusISBN 9781584157052List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockOdysseus is one of the greatest heroes of Greek culture. Known for his cunning and intelligence, he was instrumental in helping the Greeks emerge victorious in the Trojan War. But it was his adventures after the ten-year war ended that inspired Homer to immortalize him in The Odyssey. The ancient Greeks felt a special kinship with Odysseus. While they admired physical prowess and respected courage and determination, they revered cunning and intelligence above all. Find out how Odysseus uses his brains and his brawn to fight a flesh-eating Cyclops; ignore the Sirens, who lured sailors to their deaths; and outmaneuver deadly rocks that crushed ships trying to pass through them. Then see how he regains mastery in his kingdom when he returns to Ithaca and his queen, who has waited for him patiently for twenty years. |
PerseusISBN 9781584155584List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockIn the story of Perseus, the hero, rejected and feared by his grandfather, is cast into the sea with his mother to die. Fortunately for Perseus, fate has other plans for them. Perseus kills a gorgon, a giant, and an angry sea monster; marries a beautiful princess; turns a crowd to stone; and saves his mother from a vengeful king. His destiny takes him back to his birthplace in search of his grandfather. Only then does he finally fulfill his fate and live happily ever after. |
PoseidonISBN 9781584157076List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockPoseidon, the god of the sea, was the brother of Zeus. He shared many similarities with his brother, especially his appearance. Yet while Zeus sometimes displayed a playful and humorous side, Poseidon always seemed moody, morose, and even downright angry. Poseidonís prickly personality made him someone to be avoided, both by mortals and by other gods. Yet as ruler of the waters, Poseidon was an important deity for the Greeks, particularly since much of their life revolved around the sea. While it was a good idea to avoid Poseidon, it was also necessary to keep him happy. |
TheseusISBN 9781584155546List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockAmong the legendary heroes of ancient Greece was the great warrior Theseus. Growing up in the Greek village Troezen, he did not know his father was Aegeus, King of Athens. When he was sixteen, Theseus learned the truth of his birth and set out to find his father. Along the way he encountered giants and robbers and killers and defeated them all. Once he reached Athens, he volunteered to venture into the labyrinth of the Minotaur and killed the monster. After Aegeus' death, Theseus took over the throne. He united the different communities of Attica and made them all Athenians. Because of his vision, Athens became the greatest of the Greek city-states and the cradle of modern democracy. |
Zeus
ISBN 9781584155591List Price $29.95School/Library Price $20.95In StockThe personality and characteristics of Zeus can often be seen in tales that modern writers and filmmakers weave. The name Zeus still stands for the ultimate in power and authority, which is why it graces modern companies and their products. A study of the starry night sky reveals constellations named after the twin sons of Zeus. Indeed, if mighty Zeus were to look down at the earth today from his lofty Olympian perch, he may well be pleased at the impact he still has in the modern world. |
Profiles In Greek & Mythology: Complete Set (12 titles)ISBN 9781584157083List Price $359.40School/Library Price $251.40In Stock |
