This masterwork of comparative mythology breaks down the myth of Python, the great dragon that was the god Apollo s archenemy. Scholar Joseph Fontenrose, beyond examining the different sources and versions of this myth, also compares it to other classical Greek narratives, including the battle between Zeus and Typhon, the most feared of all monsters in Greek mythology. Most intriguingly, however, "Python" examines the story in relation to the myths of nearby nations including those of the Hittites, Canaanites, and ...
Read More
This masterwork of comparative mythology breaks down the myth of Python, the great dragon that was the god Apollo s archenemy. Scholar Joseph Fontenrose, beyond examining the different sources and versions of this myth, also compares it to other classical Greek narratives, including the battle between Zeus and Typhon, the most feared of all monsters in Greek mythology. Most intriguingly, however, "Python" examines the story in relation to the myths of nearby nations including those of the Hittites, Canaanites, and Babylonians as well as those of distant cultures, such as the Chinese, the Mayans, and the Native Americans. In comparing these various tales, this fascinating study reveals the fundamental themes and archetypes that underpin so much of the world s mythology, including the creation of the world and the existence of evil, as well as the eternal struggle between chaos and order."Esta obra maestro de la mitologia comparativa desentrana el mito de Python, el gran dragon que fue el enemigo principal del dios Apolo. El academico Joseph Fontenrose, ademas de examinar las diferentes fuentes y versiones de este mito, tambien lo compara con otras clasicas narrativas griegas, incluyendo la batalla entre Zeus y Typhon, el mas feroz de todos los monstruos en la mitologia griega. De mayor intriga, sin embargo, es el examenque "Python" hace de la historia en relacion a los mitos de las naciones cercanas incluyendo las de los hititas, los cananitas y los babilonios asi como los de culturas distantes, como las de los chinos, los mayas y los indios americanos. A traves de la comparacion de estas variadas historias, este estudio fascinante revela los temas y los arquetipos fundamentales que apuntalan tanto de la mitologia mundial, incluyendo la creacion del mundo y la existencia del mal, asi como la lucha eterna entre el caos y el orden.""
Read Less
