PublishedPen And Sword, November 2020 |
ISBN9781526766120 |
FormatHardcover, 272 pages |
Dimensions23.4cm × 15.6cm |
This book redresses the relative lack of work published on the role of war in classical myth and legend. At the same time it debunks the popular view that the Romans had little mythology of their own and idly borrowed and adapted Greek myth to suit their own ends.
While this true to some extent, War in Roman Myth & Legend clearly demonstrates a rich and meaningful independent mythology at work in Roman culture. The book opens by addressing how the Romans did adopt and adapt Greek myths to fashion the beginnings of Roman history; it goes on to discuss the Roman gods of war and the ubiquity of war in Roman society and politics and how this was reflected in the Aeneas Foundation Myth, the Romulus and Remus Foundation Myth and the legends associated with the founding of Rome. Warlike Women in Roman Epic and Trojan heroes are discussed next and the use of mythology by Roman poets other than Virgil. The Theban Legion and the vision of Constantine myths conclude the book. AUTHOR: Paul Chrystal studied Latin and Greek at the University of Hull and then specialised in Latin love poetry for his MPhil at the University of Southampton. He is the author of numerous classical books , including "Rome: Republic to Empire", "Roman Military Disasters" and "Women at War in the Classical World". He has contributed as a feature writer to the "Daily Express", "BBC History" "Magazine", "Ad Familiares", "Minerva" and "All About History", and is frequently on BBC Radio York, BBC Radio Tees, BBC Radio Manchester and BBC World Service. He is a reviewer for and contributor to Classics for All. He lives in York where he is editor of "York Historian". 60 colour and b/w illustrations
