Myths of Europe focuses on the identity of Europe, seeking to re-assess its cultural, literary and political traditions in the context of the 21st century. Over 20 authors - historians, political scientists, literary scholars, art and cultural historians - from five countries here enter into a debate. How far are the myths by which Europe has defined itself for centuries relevant to its role in global politics after 9/11? Can 'Old Europe' maintain its traditional identity now that the European Union includes countries previously supposed to be on its periphery? How has Europe handled relations with the non-European Other in the past and how is it reacting now to an influx of immigrants and asylum seekers? It becomes clear that founding myths such as Hamlet and St Nicholas have helped construct the European consciousness but also that these and other European myths have disturbing Eurocentric implications. Are these myths still viable today and, if so, to what extent and for what purpose? This volume sits on the interface between culture and politics and is important reading for all those interested in the transmission of myth and in both the past and the future of Europe.

A study of the origins and history of the Minoan civilization of Crete and its myths, legends, and interactions with neighboring Hellenic kingdoms.

Myths are central to the way we live and how we define ourselves. In this pioneering book, a group of specialists--among them Anthony Smith, Norman Davies, Geoffrey Hosking and George Schopflin--look at the general and theoretical nature of myth on a universal basis and examine the specific myths of various nations. With nationhood and ethnicity at the centre of political attention, the book is timely in illuminating the deeper, underlying issues of nationalism that cause so much conflict throughout the world.

Publikace si klade za cíl kulturní analýzu univerzitního prostředí, přičemž jejím hlavním analytickým nástrojem je pojem „mýtus“. Autoři chápou mýtus jako kulturní jev spojující současnost akademické sféry s minulostí a jako archetyp ve smyslu psychologie Carla Gustava Junga. Mýtus je podle autorů pevně vázán na symboly, rituály, hierarchické znaky a tradice nejrůznějšího druhu. Kniha představuje americkému a západoevropskému čtenáři univerzitní kulturu vlastní tzv. humboldtovskému okruhu akademické tradice, přičemž v centru pozornosti stojí prostředí českého vysokého školství ve srovnání se situací v Německu, Polsku, Rakousku a dalších zemích. Významným aspektem je proto charakteristika středoevropských univerzit, které prošly ve 20. století diskontinuitním vývojem. Specifikem knihy je preference náhledu akademické kultury převážně z pozice ne-metropolitních vysokých škol vzniklých v 19. a 20. století. Autoři pojali svou knihu historicky, ale nebrání se významným aktualizacím. Zajímá je zejména rozpor mezi humboldtovským ideálem a „akademickým kapitalismem“, hledání univerzitní jednoty v rámci diverzifikačních tlaků, tendence k oslabování univerzitních svobod a různé podoby univerzitní samosprávy. Autoři se pokouší svou publikací vyvolat debatu nejen v historických kruzích, ale také u zájemců napříč univerzitní komunitou._x000D_ _x000D_

Rather than considering the myths supposedly depicted in the world’s rock art, this book examines the myths archaeologists and others have created about the meanings and significance of rock art.

Explore the intriguing realm of European creation myths and delve deeper into the diverse traditions that explain the beginnings of our planet and humans. This comprehensive book takes you on an enlightening tour through European myths, vividly showing how people have explained and interpreted their existence throughout the ages. From the ancient gods of Greece to the Norse creation of the world, and from the magical dragon stories of Celtic culture to the rich tapestry of Slavic and Baltic mythologies, this journey uncovers the fascinating ways in which different cultures have understood the genesis of life and the universe.

Herein you will find 5 books containing 84 old Eastern European folk and fairy tales, plus tales of dragons, both magnanimous and evil, tales of princes on their white chargers dashing in to rescue princesses in distress and tales of the little people - the fairy folk who stitch together each and every fairy tale. These books were bestsellers when they were first published, some over 120 years ago, at a time when people REALLY DID BELIEVE in fairies. These are tales from the forests and lane-side hedgerows as well as tales of fairy dances, which only ever occur at midnight under a full moon. And then there are tales of how lowly laborers applied their brains to a situation to win the hand of princesses and become kings of kingdoms. Plus there are other tales of how kings, forever protective of their precious princesses, set ever more difficult challenges to those wanting to win the hand of their daughters, who, of course, are the fairest and most beautiful in all the land! Ideal for parents, grandparents and lovers of fairy tales and of all things magic! In addition this is a unique collection for primary/elementary school libraries. TEACHERS read a page or two from each story at the end of the school day and have your students queuing up to hear the next part of the story day after day. Bibliographic Data ISBN, TITLE, # stories, #pages 978-1-909302-54-9 - Czechoslovak Fairy Tales 15 Stories, 236pg Illustrated. 978-1-909302-55-6 - Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen 20 Stories, 398pg Illustrated. 978-1-909302-23-5 - The Key of Gold - 23 Czech Folk Tales, 200pg Illustrated. 978-1-909302-44-0 - The Shoemaker's Apron - 20 Czechoslovak fairy tales, 270pg Illustrated. 978-1-909302-67-9 - Polish Fairy Tales 6 Stories, 192pg Illustrated. So, all-in-all, you will receive 84 stories and tales spread across 1,296 sumptuously illustrated pages. The 6th FREE ebook is Folklore, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends from Around the World which contains 15 complimentary folk and fairy tales from the Abela catalogue. Go, find a comfy chair, and sit back with a hot toddy, and enjoy a change of scenery and a change of pace and be whisked away to a land far, far away where only magical things happen.

This book seeks to rectify Americans' views of its closest ally, Europe - an ambitious task, but one sorely lacking in the literature. Many prejudices about Europe surface in headlines, while others remain latent, but they are real, pervasive and ingrained.

Is geography really destiny? Our maps may no longer be stalked by dragons and monsters, but our perceptions of the world are still shaped by geographic myths. Myths like Europe being the centre of the world. Or that border walls are the solution to migration. Or that Russia is predestined to threaten its neighbours. In his punchy and authoritative new book, Paul Richardson challenges recent popular accounts of geographical determinism and shows that how the world is represented often isn't how it really is - that the map is not the territory. Along the way we visit some remarkable places: Iceland's Thingvellir National Park, where you can swim between two continents, and Bir Tawil in North Africa, one of the world's only territories not claimed by any country. We follow the first train that ran across Eurasia between Yiwu in east China and Barking in east London, and scale the US-Mexico border wall to find out why such fortifications don't work. Written with verve and full of quotable facts, Myths of Geography is a book that will turn your world upside down.