"This wonderfully fascinating and provocative book encourages the reader to view with different eyes the women from mythology who have been traditionally placed or maligned throughout history."
This book is thought-provoking, fascinating, and also a beautifully visual feast for the heart and mind. It focuses on females within the male dominated ancient world by viewing mythology, and by examining beyond and behind the obvious. The terms Homemaker, Virgin, Warrior, Femme Fatale, Witch, Madwoman and Monster are explored. As author Mara Gold explains: “Each of the archetypes represents a scale of acceptable to unacceptable womanhood in varying degrees. This book will explore how these archetypes have evolved, and how what they mean has shifted in significance in the years since they were created”. I found myself sinking into the introduction, nodding in agreement, feeling captivated and above all engaged and excited to continue as I read that: “Their stories echo through time, as they are continually reinterpreted and retold as models of womanhood, particularly through feminist activism and culture today”. The family tree is an interesting place to begin, what then follows is a wonderful flowing voyage through the women of mythology, from the less well known through to the famous and even iconic. As I read I tussled with controversy, pondered complications, winced and even raged at sacrifice and vengeance, and the way in which the stories affect the concept of womanhood and have been used throughout history. This book has lit a fire within and thoroughly provoked my thoughts and so I exclaim a loud hurrah as it deserves to be both a Liz Pick of the Month and LoveReading Star Book. Compelling and riveting, Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men is a provocative read our team highly recommends.
Homemaker. Virgin. Warrior. Witch. Madwoman. Monster.
The labels applied to mythological women echo throughout history. These archetypes, created in the Ancient World, still resonate today.
From the stories of the virgin goddesses Athena and Artemis, the contrasting depictions of wifely duty in Clytemnestra and Penelope, the ecstatic frenzies of the Maenads, Echidna-the so-called mother of all monsters-and the misunderstood Medusa, Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men reveals a world where powerful women were both worshipped and feared.
Accompanied with beautiful illustrations throughout, uncover the real stories behind the women of Ancient Mythology and find what they can teach us about being a woman today.
Discover the women who shaped and subverted womanhood from the very beginning…
Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men features in the following genres: Book Club Recommendations, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Non-Fiction Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Gift Books, History, Folklore studies / Study of myth (mythology), Feminism and feminist theory, Social and cultural history, Ancient Greek religion and mythology, Roman religion and mythology, Ancient history, Society and Social Sciences, Society and culture: general, Popular beliefs and controversial knowledge, Folklore studies / Study of myth (mythology), Social groups, communities and identities, Gender studies, gender groups, Gender studies: women and girls, Feminism and feminist theory, History and Archaeology, Ancient history, History: specific events and topics, Social and cultural history, Philosophy and Religion, Religion and beliefs, Ancient religions and Mythologies, Ancient Greek religion and mythology, Roman religion and mythology
Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men is available in Hardback
Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men was written by Mara Gold and published by Ebury Press an imprint of Ebury Publishing
Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men has 240 pages
£19.80
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