Synopsis
From Ovid and Virgil to the muscle beaches of Malibu, Hercules has made an indelible impression on Western culture. He is the original hero: half god, half man, handsome and virile, triumphant in his labors yet ultimately a victim of his tragic destiny. He was also a rapist, drunkard, and transvestite, whose excesses reveal some of the darkest recesses of human nature. He has been variously portrayed in sculpture, painting, and verse, and later on stage and screen. This unconventional biography of Hercules charts his life from his dramatic birth in Thebes to his agonizing death on a flaming pyre.
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From the Back Cover
"Brilliant...always quizzically engaging, and often uproariously entertaining."--Paul Cartledge, author of Spartan Reflections
"Why on earth did Hercules-thug, drunkard and wife murderer-become a hero of Western culture? This engaging, witty book offers some fascinating explanations."--Mary Beard
About the Author
Alastair Blanshard is a Greek cultural historian who has taught classics at the universities of Oxford and Reading. He has recently taken up a position at the University of Sydney. This is his first book.
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Hercules: A Heroic Life
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
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paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_445048410
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Hercules: A Heroic Life
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Granta Books, United Kingdom, London, 2006
ISBN 10: 1862078777
ISBN 13: 9781862078772
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Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. From Ovid and Virgil to the muscle beaches of Malibu, Hercules has made an indelible impression on Western culture. Hercules is the original hero: half-god, half-man; strong, handsome and virile; triumphant in his twelve labours yet ultimately victim of his tragic destiny. He has been variously portrayed for thousands of years in sculpture, painting and verse, and more recently depicted on stage and screen. Roman emperors, renaissance princes and totalitarian dictators have all attempted to appropriate his image. This unconventional biography of Hercules charts his life from his dramatic birth in Thebes to his agonizing death on a flaming pyre. Along the way, it recounts many long-forgotten yet revealing adventures and shows Hercules to be much more than just a muscle-bound hero. His life story, which mixes elements of tragedy and comedy, often makes uncomfortable reading: a rapist, drunkard and transvestite, Hercules' excesses explore some of the darkest recesses of human nature. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002835166
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Hercules: A Heroic Life.
Seller: Fundus-Online GbR Borkert Schwarz Zerfaß, Berlin, Germany
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Gut. XX, 200 p.: Ill., Maps. Sticker auf Buchdeckel, Seiten papierbedingt leicht angebräunt, aber ohne Anstreichungen und innen sauber / Sticker on book cover, pages slightly browned due to paper, but without markings and clean inside. - Contents Acknowledgements Introduction The Genealogy of Hercules Maps Chapter One Birth Chapter Two A Restless Youth Chapter Three The Madness of Hercules Chapter Four Greek Adventures Chapter Five Labours in Far-off Lands Chapter Six Death and Apotheosis Epilogue The Afterlife Notes and Bibliography Illustration Credits Index. ISBN 9781862078772 Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 165. Seller Inventory # 1221645