I’m very pleased with myself that I not only read this, but also comprehended it. It’s an exploration of the Greek myths, presented in 141 chapters, where the myth verbatim is followed by a detailed academic exploration of origins and possible interpretations. Some things that stood out to me:
That last revelation is so important: it brings home the fact that much of the Old Testament is shaped from even earlier stories, and that many of those old books are fiction interwoven with humanity’s grasping and often fanciful attempts to explain the phenomena of the pre-scientific world. When there are no rational theories nor experiments to try and prove them, any old story will do. And we must consider who was telling and recording those stories, because only the literate would take such responsibility. Indeed, these myths and religious treatises are the product of a very few privileged elite. Something to consider.
This book is foundational. I recommend it to anyone who’s looking to trace meaning out of classical texts. I read it to prepare for Faust, yet it’s gifted me so much more than that.
P.S. The Kindle's dictionary function, more often than not, has entries for key figures in Greek mythology.