Gods Soaring: The Origins of the Greek Gods

Author: (French) Vernant
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Who will stabilize the world that transforms from nothing into everything, from darkness to the emergence of light, from emptiness to fulfillment and certainty? The war among the gods must end for the order of the world to be finally established. Now, the curtain is slowly rising on the battle for the throne of rulership among the gods. Jean-Pierre Vernant is one of the most outstanding scholars of Greek mythology in the world today. The significance of Greek mythology lies not only in its being a collection of stories but also in its serving as a treasure trove containing thought, linguistic forms, imaginative conceptions of the cosmos, and moral teachings. In this book, Vernant sets the stage with ancient Greek culture as the backdrop and foundation, telling the stories of the universe, gods, and humans, recounting the legends of the gods and the epics of the heroes. Vernant weaves into his narrative the results of his graduate research, his understanding of Greek mythology, his comprehension of Greek culture, and even his understanding of humanity and the world, leaving these mythological tales deeply marked with a unique "Vernant" imprint. This is not a dry theoretical treatise, nor a monotonous and tedious archaeological excavation, nor an impenetrable genealogical study; it is not merely a collection of legends or a superficial historical curiosity—it is the perfect synthesis of both, the history of the cosmos, the history of the gods, and the history of humans. It is the most primal memory of ancestors deep within the soul.