Comparative Mythology

by Jaan Puhvel Narrated by Nigel Patterson

Overview

In a magisterial work, Jaan Puhvel unravels the prehistoric Indo-European origins of the traditions of India and Iran, Greece and Rome, of the Celts, Germans, Balts, and Slavs. Utilizing the methodologies of historical linguistics and archaeology, he reconstructs a shared religious, mythological, and cultural heritage. Separate chapters on individual traditions as well as on recurrent themes-god and warrior, king and virgin, fire and water-give life to Comparative Mythology as both a general introduction and a detailed reference.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

Arising from almost 30 years' teaching experience and from a profound and vast scholarship, Puhvel's study represents a major contribution to his field. It begins with a detailed survey of Indo-European mythsthose of India, Iran, Greece, and Rome, of the Celtic, Germanic, Baltic, and Slavic culturesand proceeds to a cross-cultural examination of a number of themes: God and Warrior; King and Virgin; Horse and Ruler; Fire in Water; Twin and Brother. While Puhvel eschews any particular interpretive methodology or theory, his book is not merely a reference volume. Underlying his exposition is the hypothesis that the myths of these cultures is traceable to a common ancestry. Specialists and laypersons alike will find much to ponder in these pages, which are written in a surprisingly readable and lively fashion. Paul E. Muller-Ortega, Religious Studies Dept., Michigan State Univ.

From the Publisher

A judicious evaluation of what has been written about Indo-European mythology over the past forty years.
—Times Literary Supplement

Times Literary Supplement

A judicious evaluation of what has been written about Indo-European mythology over the past forty years.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940160401904
Publisher:	HighBridge Company
Publication date:	05/28/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

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