Nardo, Don. Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology. Part of the Library of Greek Mythology series. 2017. 80p. ISBN 978-1-60152-972-5. Available at 398.2 NAR on the library shelves.
For ancient people, the world was a mysterious place. Natural phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and storms had no rational explanation. Why were some people struck dead, while others survived? Why did famine affect an entire nation one year, only to have the following year bring a bountiful harvest? Humans crafted myths to explain what was happening around them. Inspired from Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations, ancient Greeks of the bronze age told stories of gods and their battles, dalliances, and meddling in human affairs to explain the events that were taking place.
By the time Classical Greece emerged, these stories and myths permeated the whole society, from rich folks to slaves, and offered a common understanding of the world around them. Despite the growth of philosophy and science, myths continued to be told and retold, ensuring that stories that explained natural phenomena and environmental catastrophes were widely shared.
Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology shares stories of myths that centered around events and phenomena that happened in nature and that the Greeks could not explain. From the daily rotation of the Sun to the four seasons, from earthquakes to the name and appearance of animals and flowers, fans of Greek mythology will appreciate the details outlined in this book and the ways the Greeks explained what they saw around them.
Books in this series include:
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