An Introduction to the Science of Comparative Mythology and Folklore (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

George W. Cox

 
9780267990177: An Introduction to the Science of Comparative Mythology and Folklore (Classic Reprint)

Synopsis

Explore how myths travel, mingle, and shape cultures across ancient Europe and the Near East.

This concise, scholarly guide introduces the science of comparative mythology and folklore, showing how stories grow from human experience and language, not from single origins. It also explains how Aryan traditions interact with Semitic influence to produce the myths we know today.

This edition frames a wide scope: from the building blocks of popular tradition to the methods mythologists use to trace origins, transmissions, and transformations. It highlights how myths reflect real-world phenomena—sun, wind, rivers, and stars—and how these figures take on different shapes across cultures. The work also points to related volumes for deeper study, helping the reader connect ideas across a larger research program.
  • How myths emerge from everyday experiences and sensory language
  • Ways cultures influence one another, including Semitic contact with Greek tradition
  • How myths are analyzed, transmitted, and transformed over time
  • An outline of the major topics and chapters in the broader study of myth and folklore
Ideal for readers of classical mythology, folklore, and cultural history who want a clear, accessible entry into the study of myths and their origins.

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