Ancient Myths

Two thousand years ago, 967 Jewish men, women, and children reportedly took their own lives rather than surrender to the Roman army. This dramatic event, which took place on top of Masada, a barren and windswept mountain overlooking the Dead Sea, spawned a powerful story of Jewish resistance that came to symbolize the embattled modern State of Israel. Jodi Magness, an archaeologist who has excavated at Masada, explains what happened there, how we know it, and how recent developments might change understandings of the story.

Have you ever felt drawn to the allure of Celtic mythology but found it difficult to navigate through the vast and often fragmented collection of stories and legends? The complex web of Celtic myths, with their intricate genealogies and regional variations, can be a daunting challenge to unravel. Fear not! This comprehensive book understands your desire for clarity and provides the perfect solution.

Dive into the timeless adventure of "The Great Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu," a captivating children's book that brings the ancient epic of Gilgamesh to life for young readers. Follow the story of Gilgamesh, the powerful king of Uruk, who learns the true meaning of friendship, courage, and wisdom through his incredible journey with Enkidu, a wild man from the forest. Together, they embark on thrilling adventures, from battling the fearsome monster Humbaba to facing the mighty Bull of Heaven. But when tragedy strikes, Gilgamesh is set on a quest that teaches him the limits of human ...

A Tale of Fantasy and Magic Rockwell believes his eight-year-old daughter Sydney has a very vivid imagination. She sees the mythical Fae: fairies, goblins, sprites, pixies, and other magical creatures. She sees them, talks about them, and plays with them, but every instance feels like a knife in Rockwell's gut. His daughter sees all the mythical creatures in the stories told to her by his late wife, Sarah, reminding him that Sarah is gone. These stories are folklore handed down through the generations and all that his daughter has to cling to of her mother. He has no idea how to help his ...

Philosophy, art, democracy, language, even computers—the glories of Greek civilization have shaped our world even more profoundly than we realize. Pericles and the Parthenon may be familiar, but what of Epaminondas, the Theban general who saved the Greek world from Spartan tyranny? Alexander the Great's fame has rolled down the centuries, but the golden Hellenistic Age that followed is largely forgotten. "Byzantine" conjures decadence and deadly intrigue, yet the thousand-year empire that ruled from Constantinople and saved Europe twice from invasion was, in fact, Greek.

Odysseus and the Greeks had been fighting the Trojans for 10 years before something finally happened. Odysseus came up with a brilliant idea! Will Odysseus plan put an end to the war? Or will the Greeks and Trojans fight another 10 years?

Ancient Greece and its mythology is truly a marvel of history...one that has stood the test of time. Greek myths were more than just stories and epic tales. Take a deeper look, and you will uncover the lessons, philosophies, wisdom, and even warnings that these myths taught. In truth, they are still relevant to this day.

As you begin to listen to this book, you will become familiar with all the gods and goddesses of Chinese culture. The historical context will become clear, as well as the institutions, the law, the rules about sexuality, marriage, and children, and so much more. Understanding these aspects of their society before fully becoming engaged in the folklore that was the popular belief at the time is essential to your comprehension of the cultural anecdotes in those tales.

Karn Korlundsson is a gamer, not a riddle solver. But in order to rescue his best friend, Thianna Frostborn, he will need to travel to the faraway city of Castlebriar (by wyvern), learn how to play a new board game called Charioteers (not a problem), decipher the riddle of the horn, and tangle with mysterious elves.

Buckle up for a thrilling journey through ancient Ireland, Scotland, and Wales—where fairies play tricks, giants battle wits, and warriors like Cú Chulainn take on epic challenges!

Greek Mythology is one of the most popular of mythologies. The creativity and imagination of the Greek has lingered through time and inspired as well as influenced many of the heroes of nowadays Western fiction.

The Naga Relic: An Ancient Power Awaits... For fans of mythology, adventure, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, The Naga Relic is a heart-pounding journey into the depths of forgotten legends and ancient powers. In the depths of an uncharted jungle lies a relic of unimaginable power, guarded by secrets older than time itself. Legends whisper of the Nāga, serpent deities with the ability to reshape the world—and a curse that has doomed all who seek their relic. A lone explorer ventures into the unknown, drawn by destiny and haunted by shadows of the past. But the jungle holds more than ...

This guide succeeds in presenting an overall sketch of the creation of the world and the battles that follow, resulting in Zeus taking his place as the supreme god and ruling the earth from Mount Olympus. It covers the creation of man, it seems as a bit of an afterthought for the amusement of the Olympians, and some of the most famous stories that have come down to us via the writings of the great dramatists of the Classical Age.

A Captivating Short Story Inspired by Innuit Legend and The Modern Day Plight of The Polar Bear. Journey into a world where an ancient spirit walks among mortals, and the balance of nature hangs by a delicate thread. Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing narrative that weaves together the captivating stories of Nanuk, the Polar Bear Shapeshifter Goddess, and the clash of cultures in the icy realms of Greenland. Witness the legacy of a young Inuit hunter chosen by destiny, the intricate magic of totems holding ancestral power, and the plight of the Arctic bears facing extinction at the hands of ...

Get ready to dive into a world of dragons, emperors, ancient gods, and daring heroes – welcome to the magical world of Chinese Legends! This is no ordinary history lesson. It’s a journey through time and imagination, where dragons swim through the skies, warriors rise against impossible odds, and mystical gods shape the fate of the world.

Medusa, once a bewitching beauty, has become a hideous monster with snakes for hair. When men look at her, they turn to stone. When King Polydectes sends Perseus for Medusa's head, he thinks Perseus will soon be another one of Medusa's stone men. Or will he?

What did Japanese mythology say about the beginning of the universe? How did Oedipus become the classic tragic hero in Greek mythology? Who brought about the origin of death in Maori mythology? With vivid retellings of famous legends, Myths and Legends makes it easier than ever before to understand the stories that are central to every culture.

Would you like to learn how Egyptian’s believe the world was created? Are you interested in learning about Egyptian gods and goddesses and the role they play in the universe? Egyptian mythology is made of stories and beliefs that come from ancient Egypt. It describes the actions of the gods and goddesses as a way to understand the world. The beliefs of these stories played an important role in ancient Egyptian religion. These myths can be frequently seen in Egyptian art and writing, especially in short stories and religious material.

Prince Neferkaptah has always loved learning. When he hears of a great book of knowledge called The Book of Thoth, he sets out to find it. But the gods have made his task difficult. Will Neferkaptah find the great book of the gods, or will he continue his search forever?

Adrienne Mayor is renowned for exploring the borders of history, science, archaeology, anthropology, and popular knowledge to find historical realities and scientific insights—glimmering, long-buried nuggets of truth—embedded in myth, legends, and folklore. Combing through ancient texts and obscure sources, she has spent decades prospecting for intriguing wonders and marvels, historical mysteries, diverting anecdotes, and hidden gems from antiquity, medieval, and modern times. Flying Snakes and Griffin Claws is a treasury of fifty of her most amazing and amusing discoveries.