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 emotions, like love, hatred, fortune, jealousy, revenge, hubris, greed, or bravery. 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 21 of the most famed episodes from the Trojan War, the subsequent wanderings of Odysseus, and his long-awaited return to Ithaca. The texts are carefully compiled from the seminal work Sagen des klassischen Altertums (Gods and Heroes: Myths and Epics of Ancient Greece) by Gustav Schwab, and strikingly illustrated by 15 artists, among them outstanding representatives of the Golden Age of Book Illustration and the Arts and Crafts Movement, including Walter Crane, William Russell Flint, Newell Convers Wyeth, and Virginia Frances Sterrett.

These illustrations are complemented by scene-setting vignettes for each story and a genealogical tree of Greek gods and goddesses by Clifford Harper. Placing the tales in a historical context, the book contains an introduction by Dr. Michael Siebler and is rounded off with an extensive glossary of the most important protagonists in the Greek myths. 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.

About the Author
Gustav Schwab (1792-1850) was a German author, teacher, and professor. From 1828, Schwab worked at Johann Friedrich Cotta's eponymous publishing house in Stuttgart, where he was a patron and mentor of young authors. His seminal Sagen des klassischen Altertums (Gods and Heroes: Myths and Epics of Ancient Greece, 1838-1840) is an indispensable standard work of Greek mythology that has popularized its tales in Germany and across the globe. Michael Siebler studied classical archaeology and earned his doctoral degree through his study of the Roman Mars Ultor. After receiving his doctorate, he worked in the German Archaeological Institute in Damascus. Siebler was later a research associate at the Institute for Classical Archaeology at Mainz University and then a features editor at the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. A freelance writer, he has published various works on Troy and Olympia.

Reviews
"Beautifully illustrated, Schwab's rich narrative is met by vivid and dramatic illustrations. There is no need to consult the oracle: you will enjoy this book." * Force One *
"Even the lover of myth is in a sense a lover of wisdom, for the myth is composed of wonders." * Aristotle *



Book Information
ISBN 9783836592512
Author Gustav Schwab
Format Hardback
Page Count 192
Imprint Taschen GmbH
Publisher Taschen GmbH
Weight(grams) 411g