The Uses of Greek Mythology

by Ken Dowden

Book Overview

Explores the uses Greeks made of myth and the uses to which we can put myth in recovering the richness of their culture. Sheds light on many aspects of Greek history and culture - including war,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415061350
• ISBN13: 9780415061353
• Release Date: September 1992
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Helps you understand our own time, too

The author argues in case ofter case how Greek myth was used to justify a certain political situation, so as to gain acceptance for otherwise immoral situations of dominance, to take one example. This is a very different way of approaching myths than, e.g., geomythology, or psychoanalysis. There is no single origin for all myths, but understanding different mechanisms for how they originate and are manipulated and promoted, can be a tremendous help in understanding both ancient and modern myths. Warning: The book may make you understand that some things that you thought of as fact in reality are modern myths, and that these same principles are active today. He does not discuss these issues, but once your senses are on the alert, you may look at the daily flow of information in a new way. I know I did.

good social and political understanding

Dowden provides the reader with a good social and political basis and evaluation of mythology in the ancient world, focusing on the ancients themselves instead of falling into the trap of modern theory and belief. If one is working on anything involving classical myth, I highly recommend reading this book at some point. You'll disagree at times, but it will make you think.