Classical Tales of Mythology: Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Ancient Rome and Greece
About this ebook
The myths and legends of the ancient world are vividly told here by master storytellers of the 19th century, Thomas Bulfinch and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Discover how Theseus defeated the minotaur, why the witch Circe turned men into swine and the story of Pandora and Epimetheus.
This treasury captures the beauty and magnificence of these timeless myths, illustrated with enchanting full-color Pre-Raphaelite and art nouveau paintings by Walter Crane and John William Waterhouse, among others.
Stories include:
• Echo and Narcissus
• Juno and her rivals
• Pygmalion
• Cupid and Psyche
• The Gorgon's Head
• Cadmus and the Dragon's Teeth
• The Pomegranate Seeds
About the author
Thomas Bulfinch (1796-1867) was the author of Bulfinch's Mythology, which was the standard reference work on the subject for students and curious readers for over a century. In addition to this classic text, he wrote Age of Fable, another book intended to popularize mythology. Using Ovid and Virgil as his sources, he masterfully created a world that his audience could understand and visit in their imaginations.
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), the famed American author of The Scarlet Letter, is credited with the 19th century resurgence in children's interest in mythology and fairytales. A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys and the Tanglewood Tales are the most famous examples of his work in retelling classic tales and myths.
Walter Crane (1845-1915) was a major British artist, best known as a children's book illustrator and avid promoter of the decorative arts. His work was highly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites and is considered one of the pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement. His most celebrated artworks include The Renaissance of Venus (1877) and The Frog Prince series (1873).
John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) was an English painter best known for his large-scale paintings of Classical mythological subjects. His most celebrated work include The Lady of Shalott (1888) and The Soul of the Rose (1908).
