Achilles has become a symbol of the flawed heroism which has found its echo in the mythologized history of Antiquity, to the epic figures of speculative and popular fiction today. This Life of Achilles is dominated by the Trojan Wars, where the clash of empires, romance and bloody war reflected the role of humankind as playthings of the gods.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a powerful tradition of storytelling. Despite the diversity of traditions, a number of beliefs and themes are shared by African peoples, from the Yoruba people of west Africa, to the Zulu of South Africa. This book offers a range of tales, from creation stories and trickster adventures to animal fables and moral stories.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a powerful tradition of storytelling. Despite the diversity of traditions, a number of beliefs and themes are shared by African peoples, from the Yoruba people of west Africa, to the Zulu of South Africa. This book offers a range of tales, from creation stories and trickster adventures to animal fables and moral stories.
Alexander the Great died in 336 BCE at just thirty two. His military campaigns had swept across Ancient Greece, Asia Minor, Arabia, Persia, Egypt and India, forging one of the largest empires in recorded history. Latest title in a new series created for the modern reader to introduce the heroes, civilizations, myths and religions of former times.
This latest addition to our successful series offers a new selection of myths, featuring Arthur’s knights of the round table, his love for Queen Guinevere and, of course, the ultimate betrayal by his friend, and most trusted knight, Sir Launcelot. All awaken the magical and exciting world of King Arthur.
Aztec myths explained life and death by linking them to the earth, sky and sea in a grand cosmic scheme. This collection explores the history, gods, calendar and tales of the Aztecs, from the war god Huitzilopochtli to the supreme deity Tezcatlipoca; from migration legends to the origin myth of the Five Suns. Also includes Maya and Incan tales.
Populated by gods, High Kings, willful Queens, noble warriors, fairies, goblins and wizards the Celtic myths are unsurpassed in their variety and power. This new book is a dazzling collection of the most gripping Celtic tales, vividly retold, gathering together the legends and sagas of this ancient culture.
Populated by gods, High Kings, willful Queens, noble warriors, fairies, goblins and wizards the Celtic myths are unsurpassed in their variety and power. This new book is a dazzling collection of the most gripping Celtic tales, vividly retold, gathering together the legends and sagas of this ancient culture.
Joining the lively collections of folktales from East, West and Southern Africa are selected tales here from Central Africa. Modern national boundaries complicate the origins of the stories still told in the DRC, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and more but many can be traced back to the Sao civilization of the 6th Century BCE.
Joining the lively collections of folktales from East, West and Southern Africa are selected tales here from Central Africa. Modern national boundaries complicate the origins of the stories still told in the DRC, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and more but many can be traced back to the Sao civilization of the 6th Century BCE.
A new introduction highlights the exquisite stories within this collection of classic Chinese folk and fairy tales, including 'The King of the Ants', 'The Ghost Who Was Foiled', 'A Night on the Battlefield', 'The Lady of the Moon' and 'The Flower Elves'. Stories of gods, heroes and creatures vie with the curious, poetic delights of ancient China.
A new introduction highlights the exquisite stories within this collection of classic Chinese folk and fairy tales, including 'The King of the Ants', 'The Ghost Who Was Foiled', 'A Night on the Battlefield', 'The Lady of the Moon' and 'The Flower Elves'. Stories of gods, heroes and creatures vie with the curious, poetic delights of ancient China.
River Gods, snake spirits, mountain and Immortals, Chinese mythology is alive with ancient passions. China’s unique set of tales are derived from its vast expanse, diverse culture and the endless internal wars. This brilliant new book introduces the key themes of Chinese legend before plunging into the fascinating stories themselves.
River Gods, snake spirits, mountain and Immortals, Chinese mythology is alive with ancient passions. China’s unique set of tales are derived from its vast expanse, diverse culture and the endless internal wars. This brilliant new book introduces the key themes of Chinese legend before plunging into the fascinating stories themselves.
Cyrus the Great created the first Persian Empire in the 500s BCE. He conquered all major civilizations in his region and his influence reached from the Balkans in the West to the Indus river in the East. Latest title in the new series created for the modern reader to introduce the heroes, cultures, myths and religions of former times.
Cyrus the Great created the first Persian Empire in the 500s BCE. He conquered all major civilizations in his region and his influence reached from the Balkans in the West to the Indus river in the East. Latest title in the new series created for the modern reader to introduce the heroes, cultures, myths and religions of former times.
With a fresh introduction this new collection will acquaint you with classic tales such as 'The Three Roses' and 'The Witch and the Horseshoes'. The lively stories of the Czech people are parables and moral fables – rich with satire they cling to the hope that all will come well in the end, that justice will be well served by truth.
With a fresh introduction this new collection will acquaint you with classic tales such as 'The Three Roses' and 'The Witch and the Horseshoes'. The lively stories of the Czech people are parables and moral fables – rich with satire they cling to the hope that all will come well in the end, that justice will be well served by truth.
The modern nations of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and more inherit the folk and mythic tales of the rift valley region. Here you'll find stories of ogres and tricksters, riddles and poems, and great heroes of history such as Liongo. This new collection is created for the modern reader.
The modern nations of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and more inherit the folk and mythic tales of the rift valley region. Here you'll find stories of ogres and tricksters, riddles and poems, and great heroes of history such as Liongo. This new collection is created for the modern reader.
This new book of classic tales brings the stories of the ancients to life, from the birth of creation by the sun god Ra, the murder of Osiris, and the revenge of Horus, to the underworld and afterlife. The Egyptians explained the effects of famine, harvest, floods and death by creating a pantheon of gods that still holds our fascination today.
The perfect companion to Beowulf, Gawain is a treasure of medieval literature, brought to life in the 2021 movie "Green Knight" starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander and Joel Edgerton. An Arthurian legend of note it revels in its Celtic origins, playing with the mysteries of chivalric romance, the warrior hero and the deeper truths of eternal life.
The perfect companion to Beowulf, Gawain is a treasure of medieval literature, brought to life in the 2021 movie "Green Knight" starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander and Joel Edgerton. An Arthurian legend of note it revels in its Celtic origins, playing with the mysteries of chivalric romance, the warrior hero and the deeper truths of eternal life.
The tale of the legendary Mongol General Genghis Khan is as phenomenal as the man himself. Probably the greatest conqueror in history, he ruled vast swathes of land in the early 1200s, vanquishing people across Asia and Europe, so that by the mid-1200s the Mongol Empire covered over 12 million square miles of land.
The tale of the legendary Mongol General Genghis Khan is as phenomenal as the man himself. Probably the greatest conqueror in history, he ruled vast swathes of land in the early 1200s, vanquishing people across Asia and Europe, so that by the mid-1200s the Mongol Empire covered over 12 million square miles of land.
The dark forces of the ancient world were held at bay by the resourceful and emerging civilisations of Greece and Rome that formed the basis of Western culture, providing a tradition of fabulous tales that are retold in this new book.
The dark forces of the ancient world were held at bay by the resourceful and emerging civilisations of Greece and Rome that formed the basis of Western culture, providing a tradition of fabulous tales that are retold in this new book.
Hannibal, famous for invading Italy over the Alps with his elephants, was a great leader at the time of the early republic of Rome, in 200BCE. He was a general of Carthage, on the North African coast, a bitter rival to the authority of Rome, and was regarded as a match for the feats and exploits of Alexander the Great in the previous century.
Hannibal, famous for invading Italy over the Alps with his elephants, was a great leader at the time of the early republic of Rome, in 200BCE. He was a general of Carthage, on the North African coast, a bitter rival to the authority of Rome, and was regarded as a match for the feats and exploits of Alexander the Great in the previous century.
Hungarian culture shares elements from West and East, with a rich tradition of folk beliefs and folktales that have been passed down through the generations. This delightful collection gathers together tales of fairy folk, adventure and adversity, fables and lessons, magical creatures and transformations.
Hungarian culture shares elements from West and East, with a rich tradition of folk beliefs and folktales that have been passed down through the generations. This delightful collection gathers together tales of fairy folk, adventure and adversity, fables and lessons, magical creatures and transformations.
Icelandic folktales are strong moral fables, and the close cousins of other Scandinavian origin fairy stories. They are a little darker in their tone, but share many of the same themes of innocence and trickery, triumph of good sense over pride, and the resilience of the strong heroine in the rescue of a feeble prince. A delightful collection.
Icelandic folktales are strong moral fables, and the close cousins of other Scandinavian origin fairy stories. They are a little darker in their tone, but share many of the same themes of innocence and trickery, triumph of good sense over pride, and the resilience of the strong heroine in the rescue of a feeble prince. A delightful collection.
India, one of the great, ancient civilizations spawned a fascinating canon of myths and legends. With multiple gods, and a riot of colour and character this fantastic new book, explores the themes and landscapes that created the tales, and retells the stories of Krishna, Buddha and Shiva, and some of the many different versions of creation.
India, one of the great, ancient civilizations spawned a fascinating canon of myths and legends. With multiple gods, and a riot of colour and character this fantastic new book, explores the themes and landscapes that created the tales, and retells the stories of Krishna, Buddha and Shiva, and some of the many different versions of creation.
Fairy stories, especially from the rich tradition of Ireland where the supernatural grew from the legends of the Celts, are the magic stories of everyday folk seeking solutions to the challenges of the day. This spritely new collection brings together the fables and stories of banshees, kings, trembling farmers, tricksters and beloved princesses.
Fairy stories, especially from the rich tradition of Ireland where the supernatural grew from the legends of the Celts, are the magic stories of everyday folk seeking solutions to the challenges of the day. This spritely new collection brings together the fables and stories of banshees, kings, trembling farmers, tricksters and beloved princesses.
Japan's mythology is alive with gods, spirits and monsters. The warrior class of the imperial court, and the natural spirits of the countryside represent parallel and interdependent aspects of Japanese society, explored through ancient legend and folklore in this fascinating new book in the Flame Tree Myths and Legend series.
Japan's mythology is alive with gods, spirits and monsters. The warrior class of the imperial court, and the natural spirits of the countryside represent parallel and interdependent aspects of Japanese society, explored through ancient legend and folklore in this fascinating new book in the Flame Tree Myths and Legend series.
With a new introduction, this fascinating classic review of Jeanne d’Arc’s life, the pious girl from Domrémy, presents an accessible biography, thoroughly grounded in original sources and truly engaging.