Exploring Greek Myth offers an extensive discussion of variant forms of myths and lesser-known stories, including important local myths and local versions of PanHellenic myths. Clark also discusses approaches to understanding myths, allowing students to gain an appreciation of the variety in one volume.
* Guides students from an introductory understanding of myths to a wide-ranging exploration of current scholarly approaches on mythology as a social practice and as an expression of thought
* Written in an informal conversational style appealing to students by an experienced lecturer in the field
* Offers extensive discussion of variant forms of myths and many lesser known, but deserving, stories
* Investigates a variety of approaches to the study of myth including: the sources of our knowledge of Greek myth, myth and ritual in ancient Greek society, comparative myth, myth and gender, hero cult, psychological interpretation of myth, and myth and philosophy
* Includes suggestions in each chapter for essays and research projects, as well as extensive lists of books and articles for further reading
* The author draws on the work of many leading scholars in the field in his exploration of topics throughout the text

List of Illustrations vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Chapter One: The Knife Did It 1
Definitions and Characteristics for the Study of Myth

Chapter Two: Six Hundred Gods 15
Greek Myth and Greek Religion

Chapter Three: Homer's Beauty Pageant 30
The Traditions of Myth

Chapter Four: Pelops' Shoulder 43
Sources for the Study of Myth

Chapter Five: Ikaros' Wings, Aktaion's Dogs 54
Myth and Meaning

Chapter Six: The Bones of Orestes 68
Heroes in Myth and Society

Chapter Seven: Born from the Earth 80
Founders of Cities and Families

Chapter Eight: The Judgment of Paris 97
Comparative Myth

Chapter Nine: Boys in Dresses, Brides with Beards 111
Myth and Gender

Chapter Ten: Agamemnon's Mask? 126
Myth and History

Chapter Eleven: Orestes on Trial 140
Myth and Thought

Chapter Twelve: Plato and the Poets 154
Philosophy and Myth

Chapter Thirteen: Conclusion 168

Notes 171

References 179

Index 187

MATTHEW CLARK is Associate Professor of Ancient Greek Literature and Culture in the Department of Humanities at York University in Toronto. His previous publications include Out of Line: Homeric Composition Beyond the Hexameter (1997), A Matter of Style: Writing and Technique (2002), and Narrative Structures and the Language of the Self (2010).