A. R. Hope Moncrieff

Timeless in their appeal, the Greek myths have fascinated generations. This superb collection is an abridged and Illustrated edition of A.R. Hope Moncrieff's Classic Myths and Legends, including such well-known tales as Theseus and the Minotaur, Perseus and Andromeda, the Tale of Troy and the House of Agamemnon. For the ancient Greeks the sun rose and set because Phoebus-Apollo drove his dazzling chariot daily across the sky. Winter came in those months of the year when Persephone, daughter of the earth goddess Demeter, descended into the under world. Helped or hindered by the gods, human heroes were also the subjects of legendary tales, many of them representing a particular quality: the cunning of Odysseus, for example, the beauty of Helen or the courage of Antigone. These ancient myths are brought to life with a vast array of fascinating illustrations, showing the diverse way in which the classic heroes have been portrayed over the centuries. The wealth of images spans over 3500 years, from the ancient "Mask of Agamemnon," to the surreal "Metamorphosis of Narcissus" by Salvador Dali. Over 200 images have been drawn from a range of sources; ancient architecture, sculpture and vase painting, the works of the Old Masters and the Pre-Raphaelites, and the early illustrated editions of the epic poems of Homer and Ovid. A Treasury of Classical Mythology is a book for every member of the family, from the art historian to the student of literature and legend. It is a source book of the tales of ancient Greece and also offers a panorama of the visual masterpieces they have inspired.