Category: | Our Mythical Childhood Survey

René Goscinny , Albert Uderzo

Asterix at the Olympic Games [Astérix: Astérix aux Jeux olympiques] (Astérix, 12)

"In 50 BC, Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well… not entirely. One small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders." The Gauls are aided by a magic potion which gives them superhuman strength, and is brewed by the druid Panoramix (Getafix in English). In late spring, the inhabitants of the village learn that the neighbouring Roman camp of Aquarium is preparing to send its champion – Claudius Cornedurus (corne d'urus, Gluteus Maximus in (...)

literary

YEAR: 1968

COUNTRY: France

TAGS: Architecture Athens Caesar Gaul Gods Greek Gods Greek Religion Olympic Games Roman Army Roman Gods Roman Religion

David Farris , Sandy Ransford

British Museum Fun Book: Ancient Greece

This short “fun book” comprises activities based on various aspects of ancient Greek history, culture and myth. The activities include “spot-the difference” puzzles, crosswords and brainteasers, all aimed to “test and perplex” (p. 4) the reader, along with games and jokes “to keep [them] chuckling” (p. 4). A checklist towards the start gives a brief explanation of the historical and mythical figures and places that appear in the book. Most of the a(...)

literary

YEAR: 1999

COUNTRY: United Kingdom

TAGS: Greek Philosophy Greek Religion Olympic Games Theatre

Ian Jenkins, Kate Morton

Explore the Parthenon: An Ancient Greek Temple and Its Sculptures

This book provides a thorough overview of the sculptures of the Parthenon along with contextual details including on ancient Athenian politics, mythology, deities and festivals. The book is divided into clear sections, each of which starts with a brief introduction in bold type, followed by an overview of the topic under discussion. Ian Jenkins’s text is complemented with photos of the sculptures and illustrations by Kate Morton. Morton’s illustrations support and clarify to some of (...)

literary

YEAR: 2009

COUNTRY: United Kingdom

TAGS: Ancient Temples Athens Deities Greek Religion Panathenaia Parthenon

The LEGO Company

Lego Minifigures (Series): Faun

This minifigure is of average height of around 1 inch tall. His head has curled grey horns protruding from his skull, with goat like ears and curly brown hair. On his chest, he has curly hair on his pectoral muscles. The minifigure’s skin is coloured yellow and his legs are brown and goat-like. The sole accessory that accompanies the minifigure is a short brown flute.The biography depicts Faun as carefree, living in the forest where he "plays his flute, makes up silly riddles, and dan(...)

material

YEAR: 2016

TAGS: Greek Religion Pan Roman Religion

Gisela Baños, Victor Sabaté

Mythological Monsters [Monstruos Mitológicos]

Monstruos Mitológicos is an engaging exploration of the mythological creatures of the classical world. The illustrated chapter book selects fourteen monsters and beasts from ancient Greece; these include the ghastly and terrifying and the incredible and awe-inspiring. Included in the selection are the Minotaur ("Minotauro"), Medusa, the Sphinx ("la Esfinge"), mermaids ("las sirenas"), Chimera ("Quimera"), and the Harpies ("las arpías&quo(...)

literary

YEAR: 2019

COUNTRY: Spain

TAGS: Charybdis Greek Religion Homer Minotaur Odyssey Polyphemus Scylla Sirens

Nicolas Presl

Priape

The story is set in Greco-Roman times. A child is born to a family living in the city. It is a boy with an extremely large penis – the family is horrified. The father orders the newborn Priapus to be abandoned in the wild. A shepherd finds the boy and decides to raise him together with his son. Unfortunately for the boy, he is mistreated by his foster father and bullied by his foster brother. On top of that, the foster brother wins the heart of a girl that Priapus desires. In despai(...)

literary

YEAR: 2006

COUNTRY: Switzerland

TAGS: Anagnorisis Antigone Greek Homosexuality Greek Religion Oedipus Priapus Tragedy (Ancient)

Catherine Mayo

The Bow: Win or Lose?

The Bow: Win or Lose? takes place in Ancient Greece. It is the second of Mayo’s novels set in this period, the first book being Murder at Mykenai. A teenage Odysseus is helping to protect his father’s kingdom. After the death of his grandfather, Arkeisios (in the city of Argos), Odysseus travels with Eurybates (his father’s squire) to find his grandfathers hidden wealth. Odysseus is disguised as servant to Eurybates, who is dressed as an Egyptian priest. He finds gold hidden in(...)

literary

YEAR: 2014

COUNTRY: Australia

TAGS: Ancient Warfare Gods Greek Art Greek Law Greek Philosophy Greek Religion Tablets

Yan Marchand, Donatien Mary

The Mysteries of Heraclitus [Les Mystères d'Héraclite]

Young Heraclitus falls in love with Népias, the daughter of the wealthiest citizen of Ephesus. To gain favour with her father, Mélancontes, the young man, begins to actively participate in the life of the city: religious ceremonies and Assembly meetings. Being a descendant of Athenian kings, under whose direction are held the Mysteries of Demeter Eleusinia, Heraclitus departs for the ceremony of initiation, where he is to join the cult and realize that his soul is immortal. After d(...)

literary

YEAR: 2015

COUNTRY: France

TAGS: Ancient Religious Practices Ancient Temples Artemis Demeter Eleusinian Mysteries Eleusis Ephesus Greek Philosophy Greek Religion Heraclitus (of Ephesus) Immortality Mysteries