Classical Mythology

By: Elizabeth Vandiver, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver

These 24 lectures are a vibrant introduction to the primary characters and most important stories of classical Greek and Roman mythology. Among those you'll investigate are the accounts of the creation of the world in Hesiod's Theogony and Ovid's Metamorphoses; the gods Zeus, Apollo, Demeter, Persephone, Hermes, Dionysos, and Aphrodite; the Greek heroes, Theseus and Heracles (Hercules in the Roman version); and the most famous of all classical myths, the Trojan War.

Professor Vandiver anchors her presentation in some basics. What is a myth? Which societies use myths? What are some of the problems inherent in studying classical mythology? She also discusses the most influential 19th- and 20th-century thinking about myth's nature and function, including the psychological theories of Freud and Jung and the metaphysical approach of Joseph Campbell. You'll also consider the relationship between mythology and culture (such as the implications of the myth of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades for the Greek view of life, death, and marriage), the origins of classical mythology (including the similarities between the Theogony and Mesopotamian creation myths), and the dangers of probing for distant origins (for example, there's little evidence that a prehistoric "mother goddess" lies at the heart of mythology).

Taking you from the surprising "truths" about the Minotaur to Ovid's impact on the works of William Shakespeare, these lectures make classical mythology fresh, absorbing, and often surprising.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

A good treatment of the material.

I was very pleased with this course, over all. Unfortunately, it started out a little rough. The Professor was very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, she seemed rushed, or perhaps nervous through the first chapter and a half. Afterwards she falls into an easy lecture style, and seems like she's enjoying giving lecture a little more. Beyond these small points, I thought it was a useful series, with a good treatment of classic mythology.

Great lectures!

What did you love best about Classical Mythology?

Very interesting material. I learned so much. Professor Vandiver was an excellent speaker and made the subject come to life.

Excellent Lectures on Mythology

Where does Classical Mythology rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the first of the Great Courses audiobooks I have read and it was so good I will listen to more. Can not compare with the fictional books I have listened to - different genre.

Who was your favorite character and why?

NA

What does Professor Elizabeth Vandiver bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was a wonderful lecturer who is extremely knowledgeable on her subject. She kept me actively listening the entire time. It was a very complex subject that she gave just enough details for understanding in this basic course. Her voice and manner of speaking kept me engaged.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I needed to digest the information in between lectures.

Very good. Chapters are mislabeled.

Very thorough dip into Greek Mythology. Provides a lot of useful context. Well worth reading for anybody interested in history, mythology, philosophy.

Intellegent Presentation

Thoughtful and well articulated presentation of Greek mythology. Anyone wanting an intellectual introduction to Classical Greek (with some references to Roman as well) should consider this course. Very rewarding listen.

Really good lecture series

the series was a very good intro into classical mythology. if you are just now getting into it I suggest listening to this series

A hit, and a myth!

Professor Vandiver is one of the best Great Courses instructors, and I've heard quite a few. She has a knack for presenting a great deal of information in a tightly organized fashion, while keeping things interesting with a mix of narrative and analysis. The subject of mythology has long intrigued me, and I've even taken a class or two, but I learned a lot from her (including her marvelous Herodotus series) and many dots are now connected for me. She might be a bit gentler with Joseph Campbell though, a towering figure who for all his faults brought so many into the study of myth.

Enlightening and Engaging

A great description of not just the stories of classical
mythology, but why those stories were created and how those stories functioned in classical society.

Awesome introduction to classic mythology

What I like most about this book is the perspective shift the author constantly gives to the topic, it makes this series of conferences extremly valuable.

Also they are really easy to listen, despite the fact that I found myself regularly listening to many chapters twice to grab all the details. It's really entertaining.

The narration is awesome, Professor Vandiver excels as conferencist. This has to be sexiest series of lectures on classics ever.

If you like the topic, or you are looking for a solid introduction to it, this is it.

Excellent

The content and presentation were both amazing. I have immensely enjoyed all of courses Prof Vandiver's courses but this one might just be the best.