Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies

Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies
Author :
Publisher : University of Pennsylvania Press
Total Pages : 256
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780812246421
ISBN-13 : 081224642X
Rating : 4/5 (21 Downloads)

Book Synopsis Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies by : Naoise Mac Sweeney

Download or read book Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies written by Naoise Mac Sweeney and published by University of Pennsylvania Press. This book was released on 2015 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout the ancient world, origin stories were told across the ancient world in many different ways: through poetry, prose, monumental and decorative arts, and performance in civic and religious rituals. Foundation myths, particularly those about the beginnings of cities and societies, played an important role in the dynamics of identity construction and in the negotiation of diplomatic relationships between communities. Yet many ancient communities had not one but several foundation myths, offering alternative visions and interpretations of their collective origins. Seeking to explain this plurality, Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies explores origin stories from a range of classical and ancient societies, covering both a broad chronological span (from Greek colonies to the high Roman empire) and a wide geographical area (from the central Mediterranean to central Asia). Contributors explore the reasons several different, sometimes contradictory myths might coexist or even coevolve. Collectively, the chapters suggest that the ambiguity and dissonance of multiple foundation myths can sometimes be more meaningful than a single coherent origin narrative. Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies argues for a both/and approach to foundation myths, laying a framework for understanding them in dialogue with each other and within a wider mythic context, as part of a wider discourse of origins. Contributors: Lieve Donnellan, Alfred Hirt, Naoíse Mac Sweeney, Rachel Mairs, Irad Malkin, Daniel Ogden, Robin Osborne, Michael Squire, Susanne Turner.


Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies Related Books

Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies
Language: en
Pages: 256
Authors: Naoise Mac Sweeney
Categories: Literary Criticism
Type: BOOK - Published: 2015 - Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Throughout the ancient world, origin stories were told across the ancient world in many different ways: through poetry, prose, monumental and decorative arts, a
Mythology and Human Culture
Language: en
Pages:
Authors: Janet Amirtharaj
Categories:
Type: BOOK - Published: 2016-08-03 - Publisher:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Foundation Myths and Politics in Ancient Ionia
Language: en
Pages: 255
Authors: Naoíse Mac Sweeney
Categories: History
Type: BOOK - Published: 2013-11-21 - Publisher: Cambridge University Press

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book examines foundation myths told about the Ionian cities during the archaic and classical periods. It uses these myths to explore the complex and changi
Myth and History in Ancient Greece
Language: en
Pages: 199
Authors: Claude Calame
Categories: History
Type: BOOK - Published: 2003-07-22 - Publisher: Princeton University Press

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Surely the ancient Greeks would have been baffled to see what we consider their "mythology." Here, Claude Calame mounts a powerful critique of modern-day miscon
Mysteries of Native American Myth and Religion
Language: en
Pages: 254
Authors: Gary R. Varner
Categories: History
Type: BOOK - Published: 2007 - Publisher: Lulu.com

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Folklorist Gary R. Varner takes a lengthy look at various myths, legends and beliefs of Native Americans in this book. Included are stories and archaeological f