National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology

Front Cover
National Geographic Books, 2008 - Reference - 480 pages
Complementing 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
Index
470
Copyright Birth of the Yoruban trickster god Eshu see p 447
479
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