Mythology

Below is an introduction to mythology from around the world

Mythos by Stephen Fry

Mythos is a modern collection of Greek myths, stylishly retold by legendary writer, actor, and comedian Stephen Fry. Fry transforms the adventures of Zeus and the Olympians into emotionally resonant and deeply funny stories, without losing any of their original wonder.

Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs

A collection of 26 Celtic fairy tales. Originally published in 1892.

The Iliad & The Odyssey by Homer

Embark on a literary odyssey through ancient Greece with Homer's timeless epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey. In The Iliad, witness the ravages of the Trojan War as gods and mortals clash in a tale of honor, heroism, and the consequences of unchecked pride. Then, journeys alongside Odysseus in The Odyssey as he battles mythical creatures, evades vengeful gods, and strives to return home, navigating treacherous seas and testing the limits of human resilience. These masterpieces of ancient literature capture the essence of the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, destiny, and the indomitable spirit of adventure.

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki―son of a giant―blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.

Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt by Geraldine Pinch

Spanning Ancient Egyptian culture--from 3200 BC to AD 400--Pinch opens a door to this hidden world and casts light on its often misunderstood belief system. She discusses the nature of myths and the history of Egypt, from the predynastic to the postpharaonic period. She explains how Egyptian culture developed around the flooding of the Nile, or the "inundation," a phenomenon on which the whole welfare of the country depended, and how aspects of the inundation were personified as deities. She explains that the usually cloudless skies made for a preoccupation with the stars and planets. Indeed, much early Egyptian mythology may have developed to explain the movement of these celestial bodies. She provides a timeline covering the seven stages in the mythical history of Egypt and outlining the major events of each stage, such as the reign of the sun God.

The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore by Michael Dylan Foster

Monsters, ghosts, fantastic beings, and supernatural phenomena of all sorts haunt the folklore and popular culture of Japan. Broadly labeled yokai, these creatures come in infinite shapes and sizes, from tengu mountain goblins and kappa water spirits to shape-shifting foxes and long-tongued ceiling-lickers. Currently popular in anime, manga, film, and computer games, many yokai originated in local legends, folktales, and regional ghost stories.

African Mythology: Gods, Heroes, Legends and Myths of Ancient Africa by Jim Barrow

In ancient Africa, myths helped people try to make sense of the world around them. There are different types of African myths; some try to explain the origin of things; others speak of heroes who had supernatural abilities, and other stories are told to caution the people and show them how to behave well. The people told and retold these stories through different generations until they came to be held as the truth.

Mesoamerican Mythology: A Captivating Guide to Maya Mythology, Aztec Mythology, Inca Mythology, and Central American Myths by Matt Clayton

An introduction to Mayan, Aztech, Inca, and Central American Mythology.

Indian Myths by J.K. Jackson

India, one of the great, ancient civilizations spawned a fascinating canon of myths and legends. With multiple gods, and a riot of colour and character this fantastic new book, Indian Myths, explores the themes and landscapes that created the tales, and reveals the boundless energy that has brought us the Ramayana,The Mahabharata, and retells the stories of Krishna, Buddha and Shiva, and some of the many different versions of creation.

Navaho Indian Myths by Aileen O’Bryan

In the late 1920s, an elderly Navaho leader, anxious to preserve the myths of his people before they were lost in the tide of modern civilization, asked Aileen O'Bryan to record the tales he told her and to publish them in a book. The storyteller was Sandoval, Hastin Tlo'tsi hee (or Old Man Buffalo Grass), the first of the four chiefs of the Navaho People. Ms. O'Bryan, then living in Mesa Verde National Park, wrote down the old man's stories — as well as many chants — for the most part just as he told them. This book is the result — a unique compilation of authentic age-old Navaho origin and creation myth, from which many Navaho tribal ceremonies eventually evolved. Besides their value as mythologic literature, these tales are also intriguing for their revelation of Navaho knowledge of climatic and astronomical phenomena: seasonal changes, the equinox, the moon's effect on the earth and tides and more.

Native American Mythology: Captivating Myths of the Indigenous Peoples from North America by Matt Clayton

Part of the history of Indigenous cultures is, of course, their traditions of storytelling. Myths, legends, and folktales all play important roles in explaining how the world came to be the way it is, as well as giving listeners entertainment with humorous or scary stories, or giving them role models to look up to in hero tales. The author of this book has endeavored to provide at least one myth from every major culture group in North America: Arctic, Subarctic, Plateau, Northwest Coast, Great Basin, Great Plains, California, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast Forest.

Chinese Fairy Tales and Legends by Frederick H. Martens, Richard Wilhelm

This elegantly presented edition of Richard Wilhelm & Frederick H. Martens' classic collection of 73 Chinese fairy tales has been re-edited by a leading Chinese historian to heighten its appeal to the modern Western reader. As China continues to develop as an economic and political superpower, there has been a growing interest in its history and literature. China has a rich oral tradition and these stories, passed down through hundreds of years, not only enthrall and delight, but also cast light on the country's ancient culture.