Mayan Mythology

by Stephen Currie

Overview

Myths are stories of gods, heroes, and monsters that include tales about the creation and destruction of worlds, epic battles, and heroic adventures. But myths are not random imaginings; they reflect the cultures that created them. The Mythology and Culture Worldwide series from Lucent Books is designed to help young readers understand the origins, cultural importance and impact of world mythologies. Each volume focuses on one cultural or national mythology. Major myths, characters, gods and goddesses, and themes of the mythology are presented with a particular emphasis on tying these stories back to the geography, history, natural resources, technological state, social organization, religious beliefs, and values of the culture that created the mythology.

Full color photographs and illustrations include a map of the geographic area specific to the volume's mythology, a family tree or other visual organizer of major entities covered in the volume, and an alphabetically-arranged table listing the major entities with pronunciations and brief descriptors. A glossary, a bibliography and a subject index provide useful tools for further research and discussion. Mythology and Culture Worldwide is a valuable resource to help readers visualize as an integrated whole a culture's mythology, its origins, and its impact.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420507478
Publisher:	Gale Cengage Learning
Publication date:	05/04/2012
Series:	Mythology and Culture Worldwide Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	13 - 16 Years

About the Author

B01

Table of Contents

Map of the Mayan Civilizations 4

Family Tree of the Hero Twins 5

Major Characters in Mayan Mythology 6

Introduction: Rise and Fall 8

Chapter 1 The Maya 11

Chapter 2 Gods and Goddesses 28

Chapter 3 Creation 44

Chapter 4 The Hero Twins 59

Chapter 5 Mythology, the Maya, and the World 75

Notes 91

Glossary 94

For More Information 95

Index 97

Picture Credits 103

About the Author 104

Editorial Reviews

The Mythology and Culture Worldwide series debuts with eleven titles. In Mayan Mythology, Currie provides an overview of Mayan civilization, society, and religion (including a mention of the Mayan calendar and the end of the world, an idea familiar to many teens) before discussing specific gods and goddesses and stories. An entire chapter focuses on the good-versus-evil story of the Hero Twins, while the final chapter looks at the universal nature of Mayan myths, highlighting parallels between Greek characters such as Heracles and Orpheus. Though they are written by different authors, all three books maintain a scholarly, somewhat dry tone, with citations and fact boxes quoting academic works on their subject, as well as primary sources. Many of the myths are retold, and this is where the text becomes lively and readable. Teen readers may struggle with the textbook look and feel, but will be rewarded with up-to-date information providing a solid historical context for understanding each culture's mythology as a mirror of its society. Assuming the entire series is consistent in its format and content, it is a strong addition to school and public library nonfiction collections. (Mythology and Culture Worldwide) Reviewer: Rebecca O'Neil

VOYA - Rebecca O'Neil