Mythologica An encyclopedia of gods, monsters and mortals from ancient Greece

by Topping, Victoria; Kershaw, Stephen P.

• ISBN13: 9781786031938
• ISBN10: 1786031930
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2019-09-03
• Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions

Summary

Amazon's No. 1 Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2019 is an illustrated encyclopedia of Greek mythology like no other. Mythologica features startlingly beautiful and exquisitely otherworldly portraits of mythological characters in eye-popping color from artist Victoria Topping and authoritative text from Classics scholar and Greek mythology expert Dr. Stephen Kershaw.

Uncover the colorful lives of 50 powerful gods and goddesses, earth-dwelling mortals, and terrifying monsters as you journey back in time to ancient Greece. From the fearless Athena and her meddlesome ways to the brave and bold Odysseus and his remarkable journey home, discover why these incredible stories are still a part of our culture today.

Each boldly designed spread presents a figure from the myths, including their name in Greek, their defining attributes, and a summary of their story, along with multiple sidelights that provide additional facts. Interspersed with the profiles are summaries of famous mythological tales and historical events, like the Odyssey, the Trojan War, and the story of the Argonauts.

An electrifying visual portrayal of each figure transports you directly into their wild world. With over 18,000 followers on Instagram, Victoria Topping’s artwork is a fusion of technological and traditional techniques that combines photography, painting, and cut-paper collage to perfectly express the blending of human and fantastic traits from which mythical beings are made.

The thrilling images and digestible text provide the perfect introduction to the lively world of Greek mythology and a beautiful display reference for the whole family. Prepare to be amazed as you uncover the epic, heroic, and sometimes terrible lives of mortals, monsters, and gods.

Author Biography

Victoria Topping has worked as an artist and illustrator since graduating with a BA in Illustration in 2008. She uses multiple textures and images to create her work and uses a fusion of technology and traditional techniques – often using photography, painting, gold-leafing and cut up collage which is then digitally scanned and arranged on the computer. Her work is heavily influenced by music and Victoria aims to give each piece of her artwork its own unique soul, through harnessing a blend of spirituality, culture, the cosmos and mother earth. 

Stephen Kershaw wrote his PhD under Richard Buxton, arguably the leading scholar on Greek myth in the world. He has taught Classics in numerous establishments, including Oxford University Department for Continuing Education and Warwick University. He runs the European Studies Classical Tour for Rhodes College and the University of the South.

Victoria Topping lives in Bath and has worked as an artist and illustrator since graduating with a BA in Illustration in 2008. She uses multiple textures and images to create her work and uses a fusion of technology and traditional techniques – often using photography, painting, gold-leafing and cut up collage which is then digitally scanned and arranged on the computer. Her work is heavily influenced by music and Victoria aims to give each piece of artwork its own unique soul, through harnessing a blend of spirituality, culture, the cosmos and mother earth. 

Stephen Kershaw wrote his PhD under Richard Buxton, arguably the leading scholar on Greek myth in the world. He has taught Classics in numerous establishments, including Oxford University Department for Continuing Education and Warwick University. He runs the European Studies Classical Tour for Rhodes College and the University of the South.
 

Table of Contents

GODS
4 Zeus
6 Hera
8 MYTH - The Twelve Labours of Heracles
10 Athena
12 Apollo
14 Artemis
16 Poseidon
18 Aphrodite
20 Hephaestus
22 Hermes
24 Dionysus
26 Hades
28 Demeter and Persephone
30 Ares
32 Gaia
34 The Muses
36 The Fates
38 Prometheus
40 Pan
 
MORTALS
42 Eros
44 Penelope
46 MYTH - The Odyssey
48 Narcissus
50 Oedipus
52 Pandora
54 Icarus
56 Midas
58 Cassandra
60 Orpheus
62 Helen
64 Achilles
66 Hector
68 MYTH – The Trojan War
70 The Amazons
72 Jason
74 Medea
76 MYTH – The Argonauts
 
MONSTERS
78 Cyclops
80 Argos
82 The Hydra
84 The Centaurs
86 Typhon
88 The Griffin
90 The Giants
92 Chimaera
94 The Hundred-Handers
96 Medusa
98 The Minotaur
100 Cerberus
102 The Sirens
104 The Harpies
106 The Phoenix
108 Talos
110 Pegasus