Don’t Know Much About® Mythology (79 page)

BOOK: Don’t Know Much About® Mythology
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Shun (Chinese), 377

sibling rivalries.
See also
twins

biblical, 81–82

Egyptian, 81–82

Mesopotamian, 150–51

myths and, 27

Sibyl, 202

sídh, 283

Sigurd or Siegfried (Norse), 1, 298, 306–8

Sin (Mesopotamian), 147–50

Sinn Féin, 288

Sisyphus, 210

Sita (Indian), 324, 347–48

Sitting Bull, 486

Skadi (Norse), 301

Skald
(Norse), 298

sky gods

Norse, 300

North American, 484

Sky Woman (North American), 490–91

snakes

African myths, 417

Pacific Island myths, 505–6

Socrates, 25, 171, 186–87, 226

Solon, 186, 236

Soma (Indian), 334–36

Song of Hiawatha, The
, 495–98

Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), 146

Sophocles, 186, 199, 239, 240

Soyinka, Wole, 398, 410

Spanish conquistadors, 10, 394, 467–69, 477

spells, Egyptian, 72

sphinx, Egyptian, 97–98

Sphinx, Greek, 240

Spiderman (North American), 488–89

Spider Woman (North American), 490

spiritual life, myths and, 16–17, 26–27.
See also
religions

stables, Augean, 224

stag, Arcadian, 223

Step Pyramid of Djoser, 95, 100–101

Stonehenge, 279–80

storytellers.
See
oral traditions

Strabo, 277

Stymphalian birds, 224

sub-Saharan Africa, 404–7, 413–15.
See also
African myths

Sucellus (Celtic), 278, 282

Sudras, 328

suicide, 9, 385

Sukuna-Biko (Japanese), 390

Sulis (Celtic), 273–74

Sumerian civilization, 132–36, 160.

See also
Mesopotamian myths sun gods

American, 449

Egyptian, 75–76, 79–80, 82–85, 101–2

Greek, 202–3

Incan, 480

Indian, 336

Japanese, 387–88

Mesopotamian, 143 supreme being

African, 409

American, 449

myths, religion, and, 48–49

Surya (Indian), 336

Susano or Susanowo (Japanese), 387, 389–91

suttee practice, Indian, 343

swamps, Mesopotamian creation myths and, 131–33

swastika symbol, 319

swords

King Arthur’s, 293

Sigurd’s, 306–7

symposia, Greek, 181, 200, 216

Syrinx (Greek), 213

 

Táin Bó Cúailnge
, 263, 275–76, 285–88

Tammuz (Mesopotamian), 41–42, 89, 145–46, 148, 150–51, 206

Tang Di Yao (Chinese), 378

Tantalus (Greek), 210

Taoism, 362–63, 382–84

Tao Te Ching, 382–84

Taranis (Celtic), 282, 305

Tartarus (Greek), 195, 210

Taweret (Egyptian), 94

Tefnut (Egyptian), 78, 79

Telemachus, 249–50

temples

Indian, 329–30

Mesopotamian, 126–29

Tenochtitlán (Aztec), 10, 464, 465, 467–68

Terminus (Roman), 253

Tethys (Greek), 195

Tezcatlipoca (Aztec), 473

Thanatos (Greek), 209

Theagenes, 33

Theia (Greek), 195

thematic perspectives, 11–12

Themis (Greek), 195

theocracy of Greek, 187–90

Chinese, 368–69

Egyptian myths and, 61–63, 67–68

Incan, 476

Japan’s first divine emperor, 384–86

Mesopotamian, 125

and, 12

Theodosius, 58–59, 81

Theogony
, 19, 192, 191, 194, 216

Theseus (Greek), 224, 234–37

Thor (Norse), 1, 305–6

Thoth (Egyptian), 76, 96–97

Thrall (Norse), 302–3

three sovereigns, Chinese, 375–76, 377

Three Wise Men or Three Kings, Persian, 169–70

Thugs, 341

Ti (Chinese), 376

Tiamat (Mesopotamian), 135, 138–39, 140–42, 149–50

Tiberinus (Roman), 253

Tigris River, 123

timelines.
See
milestones

Tirawa (North American), 491

Titans (Greek), 195–96, 214

Tlaloc (Aztec), 467, 473–74

Tlazolteotl (Aztec), 474

Tobadzastsini (North American), 489–90

Tolkien, J. R. R., 296, 306

totems, 452–53

Tower of Babel, 122, 160–63

tragedy.
See
drama, Greek trickster gods

African, 5, 410–11, 422–27

American, 5, 450–51, 488–89

Mesopotamian, 158

and, 5, 27

world, 395

Norse, 303–4

Trimurti (Indian), 337

Trojan War, 27, 243–48

Troy, 37–38, 184, 247–48

truth, myth as, 24–25

Tsao Chun (Chinese), 378

Tsuki-Yomi (Japanese), 387, 389

Tuatha (Celtic), 275, 283–84

Turé (African), 410, 423–24

Tutankhamun, 108

twins.
See also
sibling rivalries

African myths, 421

American myths, 449–50, 489–91

Mayan myths, 457, 460–62

world myths, 395

Typhon (Greek), 89, 198

 

Uke-mochi (Japanese), 389

Ulster Cycle, 275, 285–86

Uncle Remus stories, 411, 414, 426

unconscious mind, 47–49

underworld

Aztec, 469

Greek, 209–11

Indian, 336

Japanese, 389

Mesopotamian, 147, 166

North American, 493

United States currency, pyramids on, 104–5

Unkulunkulu (African), 422

untouchables caste, 328–29

Upanishads, 320, 322–23, 326–27, 337

Uranus (Greek), 195–97, 214

Ur-Nammu, 143

Uruk, 132–33, 148, 151–53, 157

Utnapishtim, 155, 157

Utu (Mesopotamian), 143, 150

Uzume (Japanese), 388

 

Vaisyas, 328

Valhalla, 297, 300

Valkyries, 300, 302

values.
See
morals

Vamana (Indian), 344

Vanir (Norse), 300

Varaha (Indian), 344

Varuna (Indian), 336

Vedas, 321–23, 326–27, 334

Venus (Roman), 148, 200–201, 492

Venuses, prehistoric, 141

Vesta (Roman), 213–14

Vikings, 295–98.
See also
Norse myths

Viracocha (Incan), 480–81

Virgil, 171, 199, 246, 255–57

virgins, 9, 88, 213–14, 471

virtue.
See
morals

Vishnu, the Preserver (Indian), 321, 331–33, 335, 337, 341, 344–45

Voodoo or Vodun, 6, 396, 425, 427–30

Vulcan (Roman), 76, 211

 

Wakonda or Wakan Tanka (North American), 449

Wales, 29, 275, 292–95.
See also
Celtic myths

war gods, 84–85, 388

water

Celtic myths, 274

Mesopotamian myths, 131–33, 145–47

We (African), 11, 409

weighing of hearts ritual, 90–93

Wepwawet (
see
Egyptian)

Western vs. Eastern mythologies, 14–15, 309–11

White Buffalo Woman (North American), 491–92

Wiccan movement, 141–42, 309

wig controversy in India, 7

witch doctors.
See
shamans

Wodin or Wotan.
See
Odin (Norse) women

divinities, 42 (
see also
Goddess movement; Great Mother)

Greek view of, 219

Indian view of, 328

Japanese view of, 389

virgins, 9, 88, 213–14, 471

Wonomi (North American), 487

Works and Days
, 191, 192, 193, 219

work songs, African, 414–15

worldviews, myths as, 33

writing

Egyptian, 63, 66, 76, 96–97

Greek, 165, 183, 185, 192

Incan, 478

Mesopotamian, 132–34

Norse, 298

Wulbari (African), 11, 409

 

Xenophanes, 27

Xerxes, 186

Xipe Totec (Aztec), 474

Xiuhtecuhtli (Aztec), 473

Xi Wang Mu (Chinese), 376

Xochipilli (Aztec), 474

Xochiquetzal (Aztec), 474

Xun Zi, 381

 

Yahweh (Judeo-Christian), 166

Yajur-Veda, 321

Yama (Indian), 336

Yamato-no-orichi (Japanese), 391

Yan Di (Chinese), 376

Yao (Chinese), 378

yellow, Chinese myths and, 376

Yellow River, 372

Yggdrasil (Norse), 299–300, 304, 308

Yi (Chinese), 378–79

yin and yang, 370

Ymir (Norse), 299

yoga, 339–40

Yorlunggur (Pacific Islands), 505–6

Younger Edda, 298

Yu (Chinese), 374, 379

Yu Di Shun (Chinese), 377

Yu Huang (Chinese), 376

Yum Cimil (Mayan), 462

Yurugu (African), 426–27

 

Zao Jun (Chinese), 378

Zeus (Greek), 2, 27, 179, 182, 185, 189, 193, 197–98, 207, 214–17, 219–20, 238

ziggurats, 122, 128, 139, 148, 161–62

Ziusudra (Mesopotamian), 158

Zoroastrianism, 169–70

About the Author
 

K
ENNETH
C. D
AVIS
, the
New York Times
best-selling author of
Don’t Know Much About
®
History
, was recently dubbed the “King of Knowing” by Amazon.com. He often appears on national television and radio, and has served as a commentator on NPR’s
All Things Considered
. His
USA Weekend
column is read by millions. In addition to his adult titles, he writes the Don’t Know Much About
®
Children’s series, published by HarperCollins. He and his wife live in New York City and Vermont.

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

P
RAISE
FOR
Don’t Know Much About
®
Mythology
 

“Kenneth Davis is the high school teacher we all wish we’d had—smart, funny, and irreverent.
Don’t Know Much About® Mythology
is a crystalized reminder of what’s enduring about the past, and why it continues to matter today. It’s a perfect companion to Harry Potter,
The Da Vinci Code
, and the Bible—and the best excuse I know to get deserted on a Greek island. Between Odysseus and Icarus, it might even give you a few clues for how to find your way home—and how not to.”

—Bruce Feiler, author of
Walking the Bible

 

“Because Davis ranges widely and with such sparkling wit through a broad sweep of myths, his survey provides a superb starting point for entering the world of mythology.”


Publishers Weekly (starred review)

 

“An engaging handbook on gods, goddesses, and the civilizations they have inspired…. [Davis’s] goal as an author is to infect readers with his own intellectual eagerness, and he succeeds admirably with this idiosyncratic tour of world mythology…. Even professors will have to concede that Davis has done his research—his annotated bibliography is excellent—and that he’s a laudably conscientious scholar. An accessible and informed guide to an always-fascinating subject, and an ideal reference for the general reader.”

—Kirkus Reviews

 

“A massive overview of every myth under the sun. Davis shatters commonly held myths about myths, differentiating them from allegories and legends, and explores the history of such tales in societies and religions around the globe, from Mesopotamia’s Gilgamesh to Genesis’ Noah. You can read here, too, about Native Americans’ use of peyote, a tempestuous Nordic god of thunder, and a debate over the meaning of evil.”

—Daily News

 

“Who are we? In his thoughtful and entertaining
Don’t Know Much About
®
Mythology
, Kenneth C. Davis suggests that, in large part, we are a product of our own creation, our best instincts and worst prejudices—reflected in the stories we tell. We have become our myths, Davis suggests, though they are not necessarily true. In the Americas, myths justified slavery and the destruction of native societies. Yet myth can empower, pulling us upward toward greater creativity and humanity. For all who choose to know just who we are, you must read this book.”

—Richard M. Cohen, author of
Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness

 

“Over the long development of human culture, the stories of mythology are like a chronology of human evolution. They tell us who we are, and hint at the answer to the growing spiritual intolerance we see today: at the level of the soul, we all want the same things. In
Don’t Know Much About® Mythology
, Kenneth C. Davis illuminates these ideas in a popular and entertaining way. I highly recommend this book.”

—James Redfield, author of
The Celestine Prophecy

 

“With his trademark wit and fiercely entertaining style, Kenneth Davis draws us into mythological worlds, preserving ancient mysteries and enchantments even as he clarifies, orders, and makes sure we have the stories straight.
Don’t Know Much About® Mythology
frames questions that arouse curiosity and produces answers that lead to astonishment. Whether you want a crash course on North American Native myths or a refresher course on Gilgamesh, this book will provide a great read and remain a permanent reference manual.”

—Dr. Maria Tatar, Department of Folklore and Mythology, Harvard University, and author of
The Annotated Brothers Grimm

 

“In each of his Don’t Know Much About® books, Kenneth C. Davis has brought the forgotten child to the front row, reminding those of us who hated school that one size doesn’t fit all in education—that the desire to learn is far better served by the pursuit of individual passion than by classroom conformity. In
Don’t Know Much About® Mythology
, Davis uses the intense passion that stirred in his own soul as a fifth-grade boy reading The Odyssey to take us to a place of magic, imagination, and transcendence. Davis not only presents an entertaining exploration of humanity’s most sacred stories across many civilizations, he brings us face to face with our most distant ancestors, who were driven by innate curiosity to explain life’s mysteries. Davis’s book is a masterpiece. I couldn’t stop turning the pages.”

—Albert Clayton Gaulden, founder and director of the Sedona Intensive and author of
Signs and Wonders

 

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