National Geographic Essential Visual History of World MythologyComplementing our enormously successful offerings on the bible and history, National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology encompasses myths and creation stories from around the globe. It presents a palm-size overview of culture-defining myths, from ancient Egyptian deities to the Vedic gods of India...from Maya, Inca, and Aztec legends to the Dream time of the Aborigines. This is a must-have resource for anyone who wants to know more about the stories that have shaped societies for millennia. The innovative format--with timelines, sidebars, and self-contained interactive spreads--gives readers a variety of entry points depending on their interest level. The editors of the Essential series have enhanced this book's resource value by including such elements as numbered picture references that match each image with its historical era as discussed in the text, and cross references to related topics at the bottom of the page. Conveniently sized yet large in scope, it reflects National Geographic's authority and credibility in the category of world culture and peoples. Those fascinated by Edith Hamilton's Mythology, a classic backlist title on the Greek myths, will find this illustrated world survey richly satisfying. Accessible, absorbing, and affordable, it will delight casual browsers and mythology buffs alike--and the very attractive retail price of $15.95, for a 500+-page lavishly illustrated hardcover, makes National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology an irresistible treasure to own and to give. |
Contents
Thoth invents hieroglyphics see p 99 | 12 |
Ancient Near Eastern Mythology | 14 |
Introduction | 16 |
The Creation of the Universe | 20 |
The Creation of Humanity | 22 |
Divine Bringers of Culture | 24 |
The Battle of the Gods | 26 |
The Flood | 28 |
Yama and Agni | 292 |
Varuna and Mitra | 294 |
The Mahabharata | 296 |
Lakshmi and Saraswati | 298 |
Durga and Kali | 300 |
Kali Kills Raktabija | 302 |
Ganesha | 304 |
Asuras and Demons | 306 |
An and Enlil | 30 |
Enki | 32 |
The Tower of Babel | 34 |
Nanna | 36 |
InanaIshtar | 38 |
UtuShamash | 40 |
Marduk and Assur | 42 |
The Underworld | 44 |
The Epic of Gilgamesh | 46 |
NaramSin | 48 |
Teshub and Kumarbi | 50 |
El and Baal | 52 |
Ahura Mazda | 54 |
Ormuzd and Ariman | 56 |
Mithra | 58 |
Egyptian Mythology | 60 |
Introduction | 62 |
The Great Mystery of the Pyramids | 68 |
Heliopolitan and Hermopolitan Theogonies | 70 |
Memphite Theogony | 72 |
Geb and | 74 |
Osiris | 76 |
Isis | 78 |
Seth | 80 |
Horus | 82 |
Deified Rulers and Other Mortals | 84 |
AmunRe | 86 |
Temple of Luxor | 88 |
Aten | 90 |
Hathor | 92 |
Celtic Goddesses | 264 |
Elves and the Otherworld | 266 |
Tales of The Mabinogion | 268 |
Cúchulainn | 270 |
SamhainThe Origin of Halloween | 272 |
King Arthur | 274 |
Quest for the Holy Grail | 276 |
CelticRoman Deities | 278 |
Indian Mythology | 280 |
Introduction | 282 |
Creation Myths | 288 |
Indra | 290 |
Brahma | 308 |
The Buddha | 310 |
Vishnu | 312 |
Rama | 314 |
Battle of Rama and Ravana | 316 |
Krishna | 318 |
Shiva | 320 |
Holy Animals | 322 |
Chinese Mythology | 324 |
Introduction | 326 |
Creation Myths | 330 |
Ying and Yang | 332 |
The Three Sovereigns | 334 |
Yellow Emperor | 336 |
Sun and Moon Deities | 338 |
The Eight Immortals | 340 |
Dragon Deities | 342 |
Sacred Mountains An avatar of Vishnu see p 313 | 344 |
K Nüwa creates people and animals see p 335 | 400 |
North AmericaLelawala the Maiden of the Mists | 428 |
North AmericaArtic Myths | 430 |
African Mythology | 432 |
Introduction | 434 |
Creation Myths | 438 |
Tricksters | 440 |
Cultural Heroes | 442 |
Myths of the Zulu and the Maasai | 444 |
Myths of the Yoruba and the | 446 |
Animism | 448 |
Australian and Oceanic Mythology | 450 |
Introduction | 452 |
OceaniaCreation Myths | 456 |
OceaniaGods of Polynesia | 458 |
Ancestor Cult | 460 |
AustraliaDreamtime | 462 |
AustraliaTracing the Ancestors | 464 |
Uluru | 466 |
Appendix | 468 |
470 | |
479 | |