The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology: An A-Z Guide to the Myths and Legends of the Ancient World

By Arthur Cotterell and Rachel Storm

Book Overview

THE ULTIMATE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MYTHOLOGY

The myths and legends of the ancient worlds, from Greece, Rome and Egypt to the Norse and Celtic lands, through Persia and India to China and the Far East

Arthur Cotterell & Rachel Storm

- A comprehensive A to Z of the classic stories of gods and goddesses, heroes, warriors and mythical beasts, with copious cross-references

- Over 1000 alphabetical entries describe the central mythical figures of each culture and their importance to the ancient civilizations of their day

- Beautifully illustrated with over 1000 images spanning fifteen centuries of fine art, from the ancient world to the present, including specially commissioned artworks

- Superb pictorial spreads on the mythical themes and symbols central to each culture

- Timeless in scope and appeal, a classic and enduring reference work by two expert authorities

In this important volume, the mythologies of the ancient world are brought to life. In the first half, author Arthur Cotterell describes the central mythical figures of classical Greece and Rome, the Celtic heroes and the Nordic gods.

In the second part, author Rachel Storm expertly leads us through the powerful pantheon of gods and goddesses of the East from Ancient Egypt, through Central Asia, to the dragon festivals of eastern lands. Pictorial features focus on recurring mythological themes, including heroes, oracles and prophecies.

This comprehensive guide to the myths and legends of two great continents is timeless in its universal appeal.

About the Authors

Arthur Cotterell has lectured and written widely on the mythologies and ancient civilizations of the world. He is Principal of Kingston College in London, and author of the best-selling Dictionary of World Mythology, as well as books on the civilizations of East Asia.

Rachel Storm is a journalist and author specializing in religion, alternative religion and spirituality. Her works include In Search of Heaven and The Sacred Sea. She has written introductions to several books on mythology.
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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 178019188X
• ISBN13: 9781780191881
• Release Date: September 2012
• Publisher: Southwater Publishing
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 2.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.0" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Informative and Accessible

A truly fun reference book! The material is well organized and easy to read. The illustrations throughout are beautiful and numerous but add to the entries without being a distraction. This is a large book--make room on the shelf!

GREAT range and basic surface info

The pictures are beautiful, and the book is HUGE (hardcover and almost doubt a sheet of notebook paper). Some of the wording seems rushed and careless, but with so many topics and cultures being covered that’s bound to happen. Some pieces are beautiful and story-like while other parts read more like a classic textbook. I am so happy with my purchase, especially for under $10!!

Nearly Ultimate

This beautifully illustrated tome on world mythologies now possesses pride of place upon our coffee table. I would call it the "Nearly Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology" because it does not include Australian, African, South American, or North American mythology. Most of the rest of the world is covered, however, and covered rather well. The book is divided into large sections, one on each of the major world traditions (e.g. "The Myths of East Asia"). Within each section you will find encyclopedic coverage of that tradition, including very fine artwork. I give the book the highest rating, despite the omissions, because it is truly an excellent mythology resource (and treats the "major" world traditions in mythology).If you like Bullfinch's, but would like something more pleasing to look at, this book is for you. It's captivating, and fun to peruse.

Comprehensive and beautiful!

This handsomely bound work is sure to be invaluable to anyone interested in European mythologies. Written by Arthur Cotterell, a well-respected scholar of mythologies and ancient civilizations, the degree of detail is remarkably complete. Entries vary from a few sentences to over a page, depending upon the subject. In addition, special feature spreads provide more detailed examination of specific mythological themes. The reference is also a work of beauty. Every page is copiously illustrated and the heavy- stock paper is well suited to high-quality color reproductions. The magnificent artwork, almost entirely by well-known and respected artists, is thoroughly cited. Best of all, this wealth of information is easily accessible. A thorough index refers readers to all pages in which a subject name appears, with main entry pages designated by bold-face type. The entries themselves offer effective, yet non-obtrusive, references to related entries or themes. This reference is highly recommended for anyone interested in Classical, Celtic, or Norse mythologies. Undoubtedly helpful to scholars, it should also prove fascinating to casual readers and to all who appreciate fine art.