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Celtic Myths, The: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends

Hardback by Aldhouse-Green, Miranda; Green, Miranda J.

Celtic Myths, The: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends

£14.99

ISBN:
9780500252093
Publication Date:
2 Feb 2015
Language:
English
Publisher:
Thames & Hudson Ltd
Pages:
208 pages
Format:
Hardback
For delivery:
Estimated despatch 23 - 24 Jan 2025
Celtic Myths, The: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends

Description

The new instalment in T&H's successful myths series (after The Greek and Roman Myths and The Egyptian Myths) introduces the world of the Celts, their gods and goddesses, heroes, monsters and villains. As well as vividly exploring the tales, the author brings her expertise in the archaeology of the Iron Age and particularly shamanism to bear on the mythical worlds she describes, with evidence as diverse as the Gundestrup Cauldron and the famous bog bodies. Starting with a discussion of how myths are transmitted and by whom, the author continues with an account of the Irish and Welsh myths and their key actors and motifs, before moving on to consider themes such as heroes, animals, women, environment and the Otherworld. In her finale, the author asks how the myths survived the Christianization of Europe and looks at the influence of monastic chroniclers on the tales, which they preserved and adapted.

Contents

Prelude: The Celtic World: Space, Time and Evidence; 1 Word of Mouth: Making Myths; 2 The Myth Spinners; 3 A Plethora of Irish Spirits; 4 Enchanted Wales: A Magical Land; 5 The Champion's Portion: Mythical Heroes; 6 Enchanting Animals and Edgy Beings; 7 Dangerous Liaisons: Monstrous Regiments of Women; 8 Land and Water: A Seethe of Spirits; 9 Heaven and Hell: Paradise and the Underworld; Finale: Paganism and Christianity: The Transformation of Myth

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