Oh My Gods

October 10, 2011
Did Zeus use his immense power solely for good? Was Jason really a great hero who sailed across the sea to find the Golden Fleece or a selfish lout who succeeded only with the help of a clever and resourceful woman he later betrayed? Classicist Freeman (Julius Caesar) tries to answer these questions by retelling familiar Greek and Roman myths so we can hear the challenging portions that are often glossed over. But what he accomplishes is simply the retelling of these myths for modern readers in contemporary language while remaining faithful to the original sources. Often he paraphrases a single ancient author or merges several sources. Sections are devoted to myths of creation, myths of gods and goddesses, heroes, lovers. Freeman retells such familiar tales as the spinning contest between the goddess Athena and the great weaver Arachne, which ends with Athena turning Arachne into a spider that will forever weave beautiful patterns in her webs. The book includes a helpful glossary, lists of Greek and Roman gods, and suggestions for further reading. While there is no substitute for Hesiod, Homer, Ovid, or Virgil, Freeman’s lively if unoriginal retellings offer a useful introduction to these enduring stories. Maps.