Roman Mythology

November 1, 2020

Gr 6 Up-Readers are thoroughly schooled in these strongly written, scholarly volumes. This series examines common folkloric motifs and elements, how and why the myths developed, who the ancient people were, and what and why they believed. Myths are incorporated into background details; each culture's mythic principles are explored, as well as the powers of gods. Some tales are gory, such as a few of the stories featured in Egyptian Mythology and Greek Mythology. Some narratives include sexual situations and nudity. Roman Mythology devotes a chapter to female gods and features a subsection titled "Sexual Loyalty for the Good of Rome." The final chapter of each title explains how myths/gods are "celebrated" in today's society or interpreted in popular media. The gods or key characters are highlighted in orange boxes when first introduced. Photos, paintings, and other artworks represent cultures; additional graphics would have been helpful. Sidebars share myths and additional information. VERDICT Recommended for public libraries and sophisticated upper graders. Strongest: Greek Mythology and Roman Mythology.

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December 1, 2020
Grades 7-12 The World Mythology series (5 titles) is perfect for readers searching for a well-researched resource on myths and gods, which are covered in each book. In Roman Mythology, the importance of myths in relating the origins of Rome and its people is discussed, along with the influence of Greece on Roman beliefs and the role of women in mythology. Each title pulls readers in with a mythological story and includes large color illustrations and photographs, an organizational chart featuring major gods and deities, organized sections, and large green text boxes with additional tales from mythology. In a few unfortunate instances, the author adopts a condescending tone when discussing prehistoric cultures, describing them as ""culturally backward"" or a ""dingy little farming community."" This quibble aside, these books discuss how ancient beliefs still influence the present-day world. Source notes and recommended books and websites conclude.

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