The Greek myths are timeless classics, whose scenes and figures have
captivated us since ancient times. The gods and heroes of these legends
hold up a mirror to the human condition, embodying universal
characteristics and truths - whether it be the courage of Perseus, the
greed of Midas, the vaulting ambition of Icarus, the vengeance of Medea,
or the hubris of Niobe. These traits are the basis for immortal dramas
and rich narratives, as profound as they are entertaining, which form
the bedrock of our culture and literature today and remain relevant and
fascinating for all readers, young and old alike.
This edition contains 47 tales based on the most famous episodes in
Greek mythology, from Prometheus, the Argonauts, and Theseus to the
Trojan War and Homer's Odyssey. The individual texts are selected from
the seminal work Sagen des klassischen Altertums (Gods and Heroes: Myths
and Epics of Ancient Greece) by Gustav Schwab (1792-1850), and
strikingly illustrated by 29 artists, among them outstanding
representatives of the Golden Age of Book Illustration and the Arts and
Crafts Movement, including Walter Crane (1845-1915), Arthur Rackham
(1867-1939), William Russell Flint (1880-1969), and Virginia Frances
Sterrett (1900-1930).
These illustrations are complemented by scene-setting vignettes for each
story and a genealogical tree of Greek gods and goddesses by Clifford
Harper, commissioned especially for this volume. Placing the tales in
context, the book contains a historical introduction by Dr. Michael
Siebler and is rounded off with biographies of all featured artists as
well as an extensive glossary of ancient Greece's most famous
protagonists. The heroism, tragedy, and theater of Greek mythology
glimmer through each tale in this lavishly illustrated edition,
awakening the gods and heroes to new life.
