Great Myths of the World

Marc Notes: Originally published: Orpheus. New York: Macmillan, 1930.; Includes index. Publisher Marketing: "This treasure-chest of mythology will entertain and educate the reader for many hours." -- M. G. Paregian. A treasury of tales from ancient myth and legend, this collection was assembled and recounted by a well-known and much-loved storyteller. All of the legendary heroic and tragic figures of the ancient world appear here, in myths derived from Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Hellenic, Latin, Celtic, Nordic, Mesoamerican, and other traditions. Larger-than-life figures populate these stories -- Isis and Osiris, Gilgamesh, Hercules and Pandora, Loki, and Quetzalcoatl. Once regarded as sacred lore, their adventures, misfortunes, and rewards form integral and active elements of the cultures from which they arose, and they continue to resonate with a deep human significance. Poet, playwright, and a key figure in the Irish Literary Renaissance, Padraic Colum was a prolific writer. Best known for his adaptations of Celtic tales, and particularly those for younger readers, he also addressed himself to a wider audience. A perfect book to inspire passion for ancient mythology, this volume can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Contributor Bio:  Colum, Padraic Padraic Colum (1881 1972) was a poet, a playwright, and a leader of the Irish Renaissance, but he is best known for his works for children, including The Children of Odin and The Golden Fleece (a Newbery Honor Book).