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Classical Mythology
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
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Classical Mythology
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Summary
These 24 lectures are a vibrant introduction to the primary characters and most important stories of classical Greek and Roman mythology. Among those you'll investigate are the accounts of the creation of the world in Hesiod's Theogony and Ovid's Metamorphoses; the gods Zeus, Apollo, Demeter, Persephone, Hermes, Dionysos, and Aphrodite; the Greek heroes, Theseus and Heracles (Hercules in the Roman version); and the most famous of all classical myths, the Trojan War.
Professor Vandiver anchors her presentation in some basics. What is a myth? Which societies use myths? What are some of the problems inherent in studying classical mythology? She also discusses the most influential 19th- and 20th-century thinking about myth's nature and function, including the psychological theories of Freud and Jung and the metaphysical approach of Joseph Campbell. You'll also consider the relationship between mythology and culture (such as the implications of the myth of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades for the Greek view of life, death, and marriage), the origins of classical mythology (including the similarities between the Theogony and Mesopotamian creation myths), and the dangers of probing for distant origins (for example, there's little evidence that a prehistoric "mother goddess" lies at the heart of mythology).
Taking you from the surprising "truths" about the Minotaur to Ovid's impact on the works of William Shakespeare, these lectures make classical mythology fresh, absorbing, and often surprising.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Miss J J Holmes
- 16-04-19
chapter headings are out of sync
chapter headings in the chapter tab on the android app are out of sync with the chapters of the book. This is not a comment on the book itself but I am unsure how else to bring it to the attention of audible for resolution!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 03-02-23
Excellent
Superb and thought provoking analysis that makes me understand the myths in a new, more informed light. Wonderful.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- UrskaF
- 29-11-22
Excellent!
I really loved it. The myths are fascinating and the narrator is top notch.
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- Natalie
- 25-07-19
Great listen
Wonderful to listen to and very informative, however the listings of the chapters needs to be altered - the chapter titles don’t match to what is actually being played
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Drosselmeyer
- 11-08-17
Interesting survey of the main classical myths
Good content , pretty well delivered. Inevitably only a selection of classical myth could be covered. A good balance of story-telling and analysis.
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- Mohani
- 24-08-19
Well worth reading
I have, for too long, wondered about the shadows that are present in modern movies, plays and books. These lectures have given me an easy to understand introduction to myths. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more.
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- Anonymous User
- 26-02-20
Absolutely brilliant
I studied some classical mythology at university so I had some grounding in the topic but I still found these lectures to be fascinating and eye-opening. Possibly the best of all the Great Courses I've listened to. Professor Vandiver is inspirational.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- SamanthaPinkPanther
- 26-10-20
I did not want it to end
This is a fantastic course - covering mostly Greek mythology but I just wish there was more! I was also hoping there would be more on the Roman myths even though they borrow so much from the Greeks. But it is still a fantastic course regardless. I highly recommend.
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- Justyn Cooper
- 16-11-16
excellent
very easy to listen to.
I thought I knew Greek mythology, but proved I still have a lot to learn
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5 people found this helpful
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- Steve Cranley
- 24-08-20
Classical Mythology.
Very clear and informative lectures. Have purchased other courses because they are narrated by Elizabeth Vandiver and I highly recommend them.
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