"This new series by Salem Press explores the genre of myths, folktales, legends, and other traditional literature. The first title in the series, drawing upon the most dramatic and fantastical stories of human relations, is Love, Sexuality, and Desire. Each title offers familiar and unfamiliar myths, from a diverse range of countries and cultures, as well as important retellings in the modern tradition. Fairy tales, myths, legends and folktales written from 5000 B.C.E. to the modern era are covered. Those analyzed include Cupid & Psyche, Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, Aphrodite and Adonis, Pyramus and Thisbe, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Snake Maiden. What's more, the countries and cultures from which these myths come are worldwide. Included are Greek, Mesopotamian, Iraqi, African, Roman, North American, Indian, Afghani, Japanese, European, South American, Serbian, Irish, Chinese, and Egyptian myths and folktales. Articles begin with a contextual overview of the important cultural and social currents surrounding the myth and the life of the author. A summary offers readers the major actions and characters in a myth followed by an in-depth analysis drawing upon scholarship in the field." -- Publisher's description.

This set examines the stories associated with gods and goddesses: their relationships with each other and with human beings; their faults, foibles, strengths, and special powers. It offers explanations of how the gods and goddesses gifted humans with life, water, fire, music, and dance.

"Stories of the creation of the universe attempt to make sense of the world and to give meaning to human life. Reflecting particular cultures, creation myths nevertheless exhibit universal elements. Legends from around the world ponder the most basic questions: Why are we here? Who are we? What is our place in the cosmos? Even as modern societies have moved away from literal belief, creation myths still illuminate profound cultural truths. The influence of shared mythological belief systems, whether conscious or not, is still a deep current running through civilization that can unite or divide. These primal stories have been the inspiration for countless works of art, drama, music, and literature throughout the ages and are still studied by scholars and in the classroom as a way to examine modern life and cultural history. Articles focus on archetypal creation myths that reflect the profound wrestling of civilizations around the world with the most important facets of human existence. Mythological subjects covered in this two-volume set include: African Mandé creation myth, Serer creation myth, and stories of Olódúmaré and Unkulunkulu ; Greek cosmological myths from the Theogony and the Roman creation legend of the twins Romulus and Remus ; Mayan legend of Kukulkán and Tepeu and the Incan legend of Viracocha ; Finnish creation myth of Väinämöinen ; Norse & Celtic legends of the Voluspá and the LeborGabálaÉrenn ; Near East legend of EnūmaEliš and the Atra-Hasis Epic ; Far East Chinese myth of Pangu and the Ainu creation myth of Japan ; Native American Raven Tales and the creation myths of the Cherokee corn mother Selu, Ha-wen-ni-yu of the Iroquois, the Hopi sun spirit Tawa, and Awonawilona of the Zuni ; Egyptian writings on the Ogdoad, Atum, Ptah, and Amun ; Indian stories of Brahma and Purusha ; Pacific legends of the Kumulipo of the Hawaiian region and the Māori Rangi and Papa. The content is arranged by region and myth cycle. Regions covered include: Africa; the Americas; Egypt; Norse, Celts & Europe; the Far East; Greece; India & Central Asia; the Near East; the Pacific; and the Roman World. Each regional section begins with a number of Overview essays that discuss the literature, mythology, and art of the region." --

"This new series by Salem Press explores the genre of myths, folktales, legends, and other traditional literature. The first title in the series, drawing upon the most dramatic and fantastical stories of human relations, is Love, Sexuality, and Desire. Each title offers familiar and unfamiliar myths, from a diverse range of countries and cultures, as well as important retellings in the modern tradition. Fairy tales, myths, legends and folktales written from 5000 B.C.E. to the modern era are covered. Those analyzed include Cupid & Psyche, Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, Aphrodite and Adonis, Pyramus and Thisbe, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Snake Maiden. What's more, the countries and cultures from which these myths come are worldwide. Included are Greek, Mesopotamian, Iraqi, African, Roman, North American, Indian, Afghani, Japanese, European, South American, Serbian, Irish, Chinese, and Egyptian myths and folktales. Articles begin with a contextual overview of the important cultural and social currents surrounding the myth and the life of the author. A summary offers readers the major actions and characters in a myth followed by an in-depth analysis drawing upon scholarship in the field." -- Publisher's description.

Focuses on famous clashes and renowned heroes and heroines in folklore and mythology, discussing well-known battle myths from Greece, ancient Rome, and Northern and Celtic Europe as well as myths from sub-Saharan Africa, Native North America, East Asia, the Near East, Oceana, India, Central and South America and Eastern Europe.

Explores myths, folktales, legends, and other traditional literature featuring heroes.

Provides a collection of 213 essays on traditional literature from a broad range of regions and cultures in the world.