Comparative mythology
By: Jaan Puhvel
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Published: 1989
Place of publication: Baltimore
Language: eng
Number of pages: 302
Subjects: Mythology
Description: In myth, author Puhvel argues, a human group expresses the thought patterns by which it formulates self-cognition and self-realization, attains self-knowledge and self-confidence, explains its own sources and sometimes tries to chart its destinies. Here, Puhvel unravels the prehistoric origins of the traditions of India and Iran, Greece and Rome, of the Celts, Germans, Balts, and Slavs. Utilizing the methodologies of historical linguistics and archaeology, he reconstructs a shared prehistorical religious, mythological, and cultural heritage. Separate chapters on individual traditions as well as on recurrent themes give life to the book as both a general introduction and a detailed reference.--From publisher description.
Notes: Paperback edition 1989

Includes bibliographies and index
Table of contents: title: The study of myth; title: Creation myth in the Ancient Near East; title: The concepts "Indo-European" and "Indo-Iranian"; title: Vedic India; title: Epic India; title: Ancient Iran; title: Epic Iran; title: Ancient Greece; title: Ancient Rome; title: Celtic myth; title: Germanic myth; title: Baltic and Slavic myth; title: God and warrior; title: King and virgin; title: Horse and ruler; title: Fire and water; title: Twin and brother