Charles River Charles River Editors

Jesse Harasta

*Includes pictures of important places and historic art depicting Athena and other Greek gods and goddesses. *Explains the historical origins of the goddess and the mythological tales about her. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "I begin to sing of Pallas Athene, the glorious goddess, bright-eyed, inventive, unbending of heart, pure virgin, saviour of cities, courageous, Tritogeneia. From his awful head wise Zeus himself bare her arrayed in warlike arms of flashing gold, and awe seized all the gods as they gazed. But Athena sprang quickly from the immortal head and stood before Zeus who holds the aegis, shaking a sharp spear: great Olympus began to reel horribly at the might of the bright-eyed goddess, and earth round about cried fearfully, and the sea was moved and tossed with dark waves, while foam burst forth suddenly..." - "The Hymn To Athena," attributed to Homer For the ancient Greeks, there were few divine beings more important, and more generous, to humanity than the goddess Athena, who was also called "Pallas," "Pallas Athena" and (to the Romans) "Minerva." The daughter of Zeus, Athena was famous as a virgin warrior woman who was born from her father's skull bearing a helmet, shield and spear, but she was far more than simply a warrior goddess. She was at heart the patronage of civilization and all of the arts that made advanced human society possible. She was the mistress of weaving, navigation, craftsmanship, and she gave her patronage to defensive wars, wise laws, and the "city" itself. Since the city-state, known as a "Polis" by the Greeks, was the center of Ancient Greek life, law and politics, this made her all the more important as a deity, especially since she lent her name to one of the most famous of them all: Athens. The pervasive nature of her influence in the Greeks' everyday life has ensured that Athena remains one of the most instantly recognizable goddesses. She is mentioned in diverse works like Hesiod's Theogony, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and several of Plato's philosophical texts. These works shine light on what contemporary Greeks said about their goddess and how they understood the relationship she had with humanity. At the same time, there were temples, festivals, and everyday forms of worship that the Greeks dedicated to her. What did the worship of this goddess provide for her worshipers? How did belief in her existence fulfill their spiritual needs? How was she different from other members of the Greek pantheon? This book explores the figure of Athena, including her origins, the stories told about her, the way she was worshiped and how she is remembered today. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Greek goddess like you never have before, in no time at all.

The Origins and History of the Greek Goddess

Athena

*Includes pictures of important places and historic art depicting Athena and other Greek gods and goddesses. *Explains the historical origins of the goddess and the mythological tales about her. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "I begin to sing of Pallas Athene, the glorious goddess, bright-eyed, inventive, unbending of heart, pure virgin, saviour of cities, courageous, Tritogeneia. From his awful head wise Zeus himself bare her arrayed in warlike arms of flashing gold, and awe seized all the gods as they gazed. But Athena sprang quickly from the immortal head and stood before Zeus who holds the aegis, shaking a sharp spear: great Olympus began to reel horribly at the might of the bright-eyed goddess, and earth round about cried fearfully, and the sea was moved and tossed with dark waves, while foam burst forth suddenly..." - "The Hymn To Athena", attributed to Homer For the ancient Greeks, there were few divine beings more important, and more generous, to humanity than the goddess Athena, who was also called "Pallas," "Pallas Athena" and (to the Romans) "Minerva." The daughter of Zeus, Athena was famous as a virgin warrior woman who was born from her father's skull bearing a helmet, shield and spear, but she was far more than simply a warrior goddess. She was at heart the patronage of civilization and all of the arts that made advanced human society possible. She was the mistress of weaving, navigation, craftsmanship, and she gave her patronage to defensive wars, wise laws, and the "city" itself. Since the city-state, known as a "Polis" by the Greeks, was the center of Ancient Greek life, law and politics, this made her all the more important as a deity, especially since she lent her name to one of the most famous of them all: Athens. The pervasive nature of her influence in the Greeks' everyday life has ensured that Athena remains one of the most instantly recognizable goddesses. She is mentioned in diverse works like Hesiod's Theogony, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and several of Plato's philosophical texts. These works shine light on what contemporary Greeks said about their goddess and how they understood the relationship she had with humanity. At the same time, there were temples, festivals, and everyday forms of worship that the Greeks dedicated to her. What did the worship of this goddess provide for her worshipers? How did belief in her existence fulfill their spiritual needs? How was she different from other members of the Greek pantheon? This book explores the figure of Athena, including her origins, the stories told about her, the way she was worshiped and how she is remembered today. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Greek goddess like you never have before, in no time at all.

Athena: the Origins and History of the Greek Goddess

*Includes pictures of historic art depicting Hades and other Greek gods. *Explains the historical origins of the god and the mythological tales about him. "The gloomy Hades enriches himself with our sighs and our tears!" - Sophocles The Greek god Hades is something of an enigma. On the one hand, people can view him through the lens that was a byproduct of the Christian tradition, as a terrifying lord of death seated upon his ebony throne, an unseen force of power moving through the world. Certainly, many of the Ancient Greeks themselves saw the god in this light, whispering his name and making sacrifices of black sheep on dark nights and allowing the blood to trickle down into the earth to reach the underworld. On the other hand, there is a parallel Greek tradition that depicts Hades as a regal god and more of a dark parallel to his brother Zeus, who bears the same icons of sovereignty and may have some deep link to him in a primordial sense. The name "Hades" literally means "Unseen," but the Greeks had a superstitious fear of calling Hades by his proper name and thus created numerous ways of referring to the god. For instance, "Euboleus" means "Giver of Good Counsel," and "Polydectes" meant "he who receives many," "Stygeros" means "hateful one," and "Polydegmon" meant either "grey man" or "hospitable one." The most popular name was "Plouton" which means "wealth-giver" and referred to Hades' role in guarding the treasures of the earth. That name was eventually adopted and altered by the Romans to become their god "Pluto." Other names used for the god included Aidoneus, Ais, Clymenus and Pylartes. Given his importance as the lord of the underworld, Hades was a constant presence in Greek life, and descriptions of him, the river Styx, and his three-headed dog Cerberus are all instantly familiar to anyone who has read Greek mythology. At the same time, how did the Greeks attempt to appease Hades? Of particular importance was the division between Olympian gods, gods of the sky and of life, and Chthonic gods, gods of the earth and of death. While Hades was perhaps the best known of the Chthonic gods, the tradition of chthonic deities was much older and broader than him, so it's also useful to compare him to similar deities in other cultures' pantheons. This book explores the figure of Hades, including his origins, the stories told about him, the way he was worshiped and how he is remembered today. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Greek god like you never have before, in no time at all.

The History, Origins and Evolution of the Greek God

Hades

"Atrav�s da ponte de arco-�ris de Asgard,Onde os C�us Trovejantes brandem, Voc� contemplar� ao perder o f�lego,O Deus do Trov�o, Poderoso Thor!" - M�sica tema do programa de televis�o Poderoso Thor (1966) "Em f�ria crescente | ent�o levantou-se Thor,--Raramente permanece sentado | quando escuta tais coisas,--E os juramentos foram quebrados | as palavras e v�nculos,As poderosas promessas | entre eles feitas." - V�lusp� Linha #26 da Edda Po�tica Um martelo que mortal algum pode levantar. Um deus da tempestade com cabelos de fogo. Um alien�gena-her�i-deus de hist�rias em quadrinho que defende a humanidade. A su�stica. At� mesmo o dia da semana, "Thursday" - quinta feira em ingl�s - tem seu nome ("Thor's Day", o dia de Thor). Apesar do virtual desaparecimento da religi�o e mitologia n�rdica v�rios s�culos atr�s, a sociedade moderna ainda frequentemente depara-se com o deus da tempestade Thor, que continua a ser trazido de volta � vida na forma da literatura, e foi recentemente o protagonista de filmes de grande or�amento de Hollywood. Por que � que este deus, dentre as centenas (sen�o milhares) de divindades entregues � lixeira da hist�ria ao dar lugar para as religi�es hoje mais comuns do mundo, captura tanto a imagina��o das pessoas nos dias atuais? Uma melhor compreens�o da atra��o de Thor pode ser encontrada em quase todo aspecto da hist�ria e da evolu��o da figura ao decorrer dos s�culos, incluindo as origens do deus, as imagens evocativas usadas para descrev�-lo, e at� mesmo paralelos entre Thor e outros deuses e her�is similares. Tudo isso foi extensivamente explorado pela literatura, em hist�rias sobre Thor encontradas na Edda prosaica e po�tica, e a conex�o que sociedades tiveram com Thor por centenas de anos, chegando at� mesmo � contemporaneidade. Essa obra tamb�m examina o decl�nio e substitui��o da mitologia n�rdica pelo cristianismo, as raz�es pelas quais Thor foi frequentemente o �ltimo deus adorado pelos n�rdicos, e o que restou hoje do Thorismo, incluindo seus paralelos em outras f�s, seu papel no reavivado Neopaganismo e sua apari��o em outras m�dias como her�i de gibis e filmes. Junto de gravuras e uma bibliografia, voc� aprender� sobre Thor como nunca antes, e sem perda de tempo.

As Origens, Historia E Evolucao Do Deus Nordico

Thor

*Includes pictures. *Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading. When the Spanish came into contact with different tribes in the Southwest, they were so intrigued by the structure of the communities that they gave the natives the name Pueblo, a term they used to measure certain sizes for their own settlements.. Thus, while most Americans have heard of the Pueblo and Navajo, many remain unfamiliar with distinctions within the tribes. The Spaniards' interest was understandable, because the Pueblo fascinated those who came across their settlements, especially those located in desert regions and the sides of cliffs that involved the use of adobe mud, stone, carving homes out of cliffs. One such settlement, Oraibi, was created around 1100 A.D. and remains one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in North America, but the most famous of the cliff dwellings can be found at Mesa Verde, which was turned into a national park in the early 20th century, about 1500 years after the Ancient Pueblo established the settlement. Today's Puebloan tribes are descended from tribes known as the "Ancestral Puebloan People", one of which was the Anasazi, but anthropologists believe that the Anasazi were a common ancestor of every Pueblo group, so the Ancient Pueblo are often referred to simply as the Anasazi. The name Anasazi came from their enemies; it is a Navajo word that means "enemy ancestor". While that name understandably continues to offend the descendants of the Anasazi, it also underscores that there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the history of the Anasazi. In fact, it is still unclear what the Anasazi called themselves, and though they resided near the "Four Corners" area of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico for more than 700 years, they mysteriously abandoned their settlements shortly after they truly began to flourish around 1050-1150 A.D. Despite the mystery surrounding the Anasazi, it's widely agreed that they occupied Mesa Verde and its unique structures for a period of nearly 700 years, beginning as early as the 7th century. Thanks to its occupants taking advantage of the surrounding geologic formations, Mesa Verde is an amazing collection of cliff dwellings, as well as houses that utilize caves and rock overhangs, and structures consisting of adobe and sandstone. Unfortunately, the natural conditions that make Mesa Verde so special also likely played a role in its abandonment, with overpopulation and drought forcing inhabitants out near the end of the 13th century. Mesa Verde: The History of the Ancient Pueblo Settlement covers the establishment of Mesa Verde from its origins until its establishment as a national park. Along with pictures, footnotes, and a bibliography, you will learn about Mesa Verde like never before.

The History of the Ancient Pueblo Settlement

Mesa Verde

Netta Avineri

This edited volume brings together ten compelling ethnographic case studies from a range of global settings to explore how people build metalinguistic communities defined not by use of a language, but primarily by language ideologies and symbolic practices about the language. The authors examine themes of agency, belonging, negotiating hegemony, and combating cultural erasure and genocide in cultivating meaningful metalinguistic communities. Case studies include Spanish and Hebrew in the USA, Kurdish in Japan, Pataxó Hãhãhãe in Brazil, and Gallo in France. The afterword, by Wesley L. Leonard, provides theoretical and on-the-ground context as well as a forward-looking focus on metalinguistic futurities. This book will be of interest to interdisciplinary students and scholars in applied linguistics, linguistic anthropology and migration studies.

Case Studies of Agency, Ideology, and Symbolic Uses of Language

Metalinguistic Communities

*Includes pictures. *Includes footnotes for further reading. Many ancient civilizations have influenced and inspired people in the 21st century, like the Greeks and the Romans, but of all the world's civilizations, none have intrigued people more than the Mayans, whose culture, astronomy, language, and mysterious disappearance all continue to captivate people. At the heart of the fascination is Chich�n Itz�, the most visited Mayan site, but Chich�n Itz�'s prominence lasted for less than 200 years and was eventually succeeded by Mayap�n, which lasted as the capital of the Maya for nearly 225 years until the middle of the 15th century. The Mayans are still remembered and celebrated for their culture and their contributions to astronomy, language, and sports, and many of their advancements came with Mayap�n as their capital. Early Mayap�n was closely connected to the overshadowing power of the region at the time: the mighty trading city of Chich�n Itz�. Mayap�n emerged first as a minor settlement in the orbit of Chich�n, but it slowly came to replace it after the larger city's trade connections with the Toltecs of Tula crumbled and it suffered a staggering defeat by Mayap�n's armies. The building styles and art in their city show both admiring references to the great Chich�n Itz� as well as an attempt to position Mayap�n as a more orthodox heir of Maya tradition. At the same time, they emulated many features and could not escape the tremendous influences - especially in religion - of Chich�n. This is seen in the fact that many of the most important buildings in the new city appear to be small-scale reproductions of ones in Chich�n. Due in part to the fact that it has long been overshadowed by Chich�n Itz�, a lot excavation and scholarly research on the site has only come about in recent decades, and even though there is still plenty of work to do, a lot of information about life in Mayap�n has been unearthed. At its height, Mayap�n may have boasted a population of over 15,000, and archaeologists have had their hands full trying to discover and restore the several thousand buildings both inside Mayap�n's walls and outside them as well. Mayap�n: The History of the Mayan Capital covers the history of the city, as well as the speculation and debate over the city's buildings. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Mayan capital like you never have before, in no time at all.

The History of the Mayan Capital

Mayapan

*Includes pictures. *Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading. Many ancient civilizations have influenced and inspired people in the 21st century, like the Greeks and the Romans, but of all the world''s civilizations, none have intrigued people more than the Mayans, whose culture, astronomy, language, and mysterious disappearance all continue to captivate people. At the heart of the fascination is the most visited and the most spectacular of Late Classic Maya cities: Chich�n Itz�. Chich�n Itz� was inhabited for hundreds of years and was a very influential center in the later years of Maya civilization. At its height, Chich�n Itz� may have had over 30,000 inhabitants, and with a spectacular pyramid, enormous ball court, observatory and several temples, the builders of this city exceeded even those at Uxmal in developing the use of columns and exterior relief decoration. Of particular interest at Chich�n Itz� is the sacred cenote, a sinkhole was a focus for Maya rituals around water. Because adequate supplies of water, which rarely collected on the surface of the limestone based Yucatan, were essential for adequate agricultural production, the Maya here considered it of primary importance. Underwater archaeology carried out in the cenote at Chich�n Itz� revealed that offerings to the Maya rain deity Chaac (which may have included people) were tossed into the sinkhole. Although Chich�n Itz� was around for hundreds of years, it had a relatively short period of dominance in the region, lasting from about 800-950 A.D. Today, tourists are taken by guides to a building called the Nunnery for no good reason other than the small rooms reminded the Spaniards of a nunnery back home. Similarly the great pyramid at Chich�n Itz� is designated El Castillo ("The Castle"), which it almost certainly was not, while the observatory is called El Caracol ("The Snail") for its spiral staircase. Of course, the actual names for these places were lost as the great Maya cities began to lose their populations, one by one. Chich�n Itz� was partially abandoned in 948, and the culture of the Maya survived in a disorganized way until it was revived at Mayap�n. Mayap�n emerged first as a minor settlement in the orbit of Chich�n, but it slowly came to replace it after the larger city''s trade connections with the Toltecs of Tula crumbled and it suffered a staggering defeat by Mayap�n''s armies. The building styles and art in their city show both admiring references to the great Chich�n Itz� as well as an attempt to position Mayap�n as a more orthodox heir of Maya tradition. At the same time, they emulated many features and could not escape the tremendous influences - especially in religion - of Chich�n. This is seen in the fact that many of the most important buildings in the new city appear to be small-scale reproductions of ones in Chich�n. Due in part to the fact that it has long been overshadowed by Chich�n Itz�, a lot excavation and scholarly research on the site has only come about in recent decades, and even though there is still plenty of work to do, a lot of information about life in Mayap�n has been unearthed. At its height, Mayap�n may have boasted a population of over 15,000, and archaeologists have had their hands full trying to discover and restore the several thousand buildings both inside Mayap�n''s walls and outside them. Chich�n Itz� & Mayap�n: The Most Famous Mayan Capitals of the Postclassic Period comprehensively covers the history of the city, as well as the speculation surrounding the purpose of Chich�n Itz� and the debate over the buildings. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Maya''s most famous cities like you never have before, in no time at all.

The Most Famous Mayan Capitals of the Postclassic Period

Chichen Itza & Mayapan

*Includes pictures*Describes the history and archaeology at each site*Includes a bibliography for further readingMany ancient civilizations have influenced and inspired people in the 21st century, like the Greeks and the Romans, but of all the world''s civilizations, none have intrigued people more than the Mayans, whose culture, astronomy, language, and mysterious disappearance all continue to captivate people. At the heart of the fascination is the most visited and the most spectacular of Late Classic Maya cities: Chich�n Itz�.Chich�n Itz� was inhabited for hundreds of years and was a very influential center in the later years of Maya civilization. At its height, Chich�n Itz� may have had over 30,000 inhabitants, and with a spectacular pyramid, enormous ball court, observatory and several temples, the builders of this city exceeded even those at Uxmal in developing the use of columns and exterior relief decoration. Of particular interest at Chich�n Itz� is the sacred cenote, a sinkhole was a focus for Maya rituals around water. Because adequate supplies of water, which rarely collected on the surface of the limestone based Yucatan, were essential for adequate agricultural production, the Maya here considered it of primary importance. Underwater archaeology carried out in the cenote at Chich�n Itz� revealed that offerings to the Maya rain deity Chaac (which may have included people) were tossed into the sinkhole. Early Mayap�n was closely connected to the overshadowing power of the region at the time: the mighty trading city of Chich�n Itz�. Mayap�n emerged first as a minor settlement in the orbit of Chich�n, but it slowly came to replace it after the larger city''s trade connections with the Toltecs of Tula crumbled and it suffered a staggering defeat by Mayap�n''s armies. The building styles and art in their city show both admiring references to the great Chich�n Itz� as well as an attempt to position Mayap�n as a more orthodox heir of Maya tradition. At the same time, they emulated many features and could not escape the tremendous influences - especially in religion - of Chich�n. This is seen in the fact that many of the most important buildings in the new city appear to be small-scale reproductions of ones in Chich�n.The Maya maintained power in the Yucatan for over a thousand years, and at the height of its "Classical era" (3rd-9th centuries CE), the city of Tikal was one of the power centers of the empire. Archaeologists believe Tikal had been built as early as the 5th or 4th century BC, and eventually it became a political, economic and military capital that was an important part of a far-flung network across Mesoamerica, despite the fact it was seemingly conquered by Teotihuacan in the 4th century CE. It seems the foreign rulers came to assimilate Mayan culture, thus ensuring Tikal would continue to be a power base, and as a result, the city would not be abandoned until about the 10th century CE.During the Maya''s Classical era, the city of Uxmal was one of its most noteworthy places. While it was not as powerful as cities like Tikal, Uxmal was apparently at the forefront of Mayan culture, particularly when it came to architecture. However, while Uxmal used high ground to display its prominence, and the ruins are still among the most popular places for tourists in the region, the site is still shrouded in mystery. Even as scholars continue to work on the site to further interpret it, it''s still unclear when exactly Uxmal was founded, how many people called it home, and when it was abandoned, despite the existence of Mayan chronicles and oral legends. What is apparent, however, is the skills of Uxmal''s artisans, whether through constructing structures like the five-level Pyramid of Magicians and the expansive Governor''s Palace or adorning the structures with precisely detailed art and sculptures. In fact, the craftsmanship can be credited with helping to preserve Uxmal itself.

The History of Chich'n Itz, Tikal, Mayapn, and Uxmal

The Most Famous Cities of the Maya

*Includes pictures of historic art depicting Hades and other Greek gods. *Explains the historical origins of the god and the mythological tales about him. "The gloomy Hades enriches himself with our sighs and our tears!" - Sophocles The Greek god Hades is something of an enigma. On the one hand, people can view him through the lens that was a byproduct of the Christian tradition, as a terrifying lord of death seated upon his ebony throne, an unseen force of power moving through the world. Certainly, many of the Ancient Greeks themselves saw the god in this light, whispering his name and making sacrifices of black sheep on dark nights and allowing the blood to trickle down into the earth to reach the underworld. On the other hand, there is a parallel Greek tradition that depicts Hades as a regal god and more of a dark parallel to his brother Zeus, who bears the same icons of sovereignty and may have some deep link to him in a primordial sense. The name "Hades" literally means "Unseen", but the Greeks had a superstitious fear of calling Hades by his proper name and thus created numerous ways of referring to the god. For instance, "Euboleus" means "Giver of Good Counsel," and "Polydectes" meant "he who receives many," "Stygeros" means "hateful one," and "Polydegmon" meant either "grey man" or "hospitable one." The most popular name was "Plouton" which means "wealth-giver" and referred to Hades' role in guarding the treasures of the earth. That name was eventually adopted and altered by the Romans to become their god "Pluto." Other names used for the god included Aidoneus, Ais, Clymenus and Pylartes. Given his importance as the lord of the underworld, Hades was a constant presence in Greek life, and descriptions of him, the river Styx, and his three-headed dog Cerberus are all instantly familiar to anyone who has read Greek mythology. At the same time, how did the Greeks attempt to appease Hades? Of particular importance was the division between Olympian gods, gods of the sky and of life, and Chthonic gods, gods of the earth and of death. While Hades was perhaps the best known of the Chthonic gods, the tradition of chthonic deities was much older and broader than him, so it's also useful to compare him to similar deities in other cultures' pantheons. This book explores the figure of Hades, including his origins, the stories told about him, the way he was worshiped and how he is remembered today. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about the Greek god like you never have before, in no time at all.

Hades: the History, Origins and Evolution of the Greek God

Charles River Editors

*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting Odin and other important Norse figures. *Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the religious evolution of Odin. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. A one-eyed old man, with a gray cloak and a wide-brimmed hat leaning on a staff. A wanderer who appears when least expected, bringing triumph or doom. The god of prophecy, poetry and fate. A shapechanger. A sorcerer. The god Odin cuts a dramatic figure in Norse mythology and is still a part of the popular imagination. He is the inspiration for figures like J.R.R. Tolkien's Gandalf the Grey, and he still appears in modern literature as varied as Marvel Comics and Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods (2001). Alongside his son Thor, Odin is one of the best known Norse gods, and it's often easy to forget that he was once at the heart of a pantheon devoutly worshiped by millions of Europeans in the Middle Ages. Odin has numerous names and titles (over 200 by one account), but his best known title is "The All-Father," the co-creator of Earth ("Midgard"), humanity and all of the creatures that inhabitant this world. He is also, importantly, the god of prophecy, ecstasy, and poetry, all roles that were closely connected in the Norse world. Odin was a god of life and death as well, and was famous for taking the souls of warriors who died in combat back to his realm of Valhalla. This role was tied to his position as a god of war, a position that does not perhaps seem obvious to a modern reader for a god of knowledge and wisdom. However, Odin was the king of the gods and the master of Asgard; therefore, in the Norse understanding, one of his crucial tasks was the defense of that realm through military might if necessary. His living followers would call upon him in battle, and he was said to have taken champions and even led human armies to triumph. It is useful to compare Odin to two other prominent deities: Thor and Zeus. Thor, Odin's son, was a fellow Norse war god, and Zeus was a fellow king god. Yet in both cases, Odin differs greatly from these gods. He was more enigmatic, and his power is more indirect and subtle. Odin was a god of mysteries, of discovering hidden knowledge, and while he was mighty in battle, the stories where he shines are those where takes unassuming forms and gets others to divulge information that might not otherwise give. This differs from the other two gods' temperamental natures and their pride. Odin was always a god that plotted many steps ahead, was willing to make extreme short-term sacrifices to further his plans, and continuously worked to bend the nature of his fate. This book explores the figure of Odin, including his origins, the stories told about him, the way he was worshiped and what fragments and memories of him have survived into the modern era. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Odin like you never have before, in no time at all.

Odin: the Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God

The Origins, History and Evolution of the Norse God

Odin

*Includes pictures. *Includes historic accounts about the myth of El Dorado. *Includes a bibliography and footnotes for further reading. Alongside the famous Lost City of Atlantis, perhaps no mythological city has captured the imaginations of people or been the source for exploration quite like El Dorado, the fabled city of gold that the Spanish believed was located somewhere in South America. The origins of the Spaniards' belief in the existence of the mythical city was based on their rumors surrounding the tribal chief of the Muisca in present-day Colombia; the Spanish heard that his initiation included covering himself with gold dust and diving into Lake Guatavita. Of course, if the chief could cover himself in gold, he must have access to a lot of it, and around this figure, the myth of El Dorado sprang up as the location of it. Naturally, the belief in the existence of El Dorado propelled it from being merely a city to an entire empire itself, and this spurred several journeys in the 16th century, including one by Francisco Pizarro's half-brother, Gonzalo, and another by Sir Walter Raleigh. Although none of these journeys actually discovered such a place, they resulted in plenty of lives lost and a lot of exploration of the heart of South America. Moreover, despite the fact none of the explorers actually found El Dorado, the rumors and journeys only cemented the belief that such a place existed, and El Dorado was actually located on maps made by several European nations for centuries. As folklorist Jim Griffith once put it, "El Dorado shifted geographical locations until finally it simply meant a source of untold riches somewhere in the Americas."In fact, it would not be until about the early 19th century that explorer Alexander von Humboldt disproved El Dorado's existence, at least in the spot it was assumed to be located for over 200 years. Although no El Dorado was ever found, the myth still fascinates people today, and it remains a pop culture fixture around the globe. El Dorado is also still used as a metaphor not only for places where people seek to get rich quick but even as a mentality and mindset, much like the notion of the American Dream. El Dorado: The Search for the Fabled City of Gold chronicles the origins behind the myth and the history of the actual journeys that sought to discover the city. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about El Dorado like never before, in no time at all.

The Search for the Fabled City of Gold

El Dorado

*Includes pictures *Describes the Tower and the historical events that occurred there *Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading The Tower of London is one of the most historic sites in all of England, and still one of the most popular. All around is the modern City of London, one of the world's most prosperous and power financial districts, but the Tower is still a daunting structure that looms across the landscape. Not a single structure but a vast network of medieval and early modern fortifications, it anchors the southeastern end of the old City and controls access to the River Thames and, through it, London's connection to the sea. While the both the City and the Thames are often obscured by the walls once visitors are inside the Tower, they are inextricably tied to the building, giving the Tower its entire reason for existence. Even today, taking a tour of the Tower can seemingly bring its history to life. Inside the visitor center are replicas of a crown, an executioner's axe and similar artifacts, but for most visitors, this is just the start. After they cross a small courtyard and approach the first gate, known as the Middle Tower, they come to a stone bridge over a now-dry moat and enter the castle itself through the Byward Tower. The Tower, like many fortresses of its day, was built in concentric rings, so inside the outer wall is a narrow strip of land before the inner walls. Long, narrow buildings line the inside of the outer wall, and to the left along Mint Street these structures once housed the operation of the Royal Mint, making all of the coins of the realm. From there, most visitors continue straight along, typically guided by one of the colorfully-dressed Yeoman Guards (the famous "Beefeaters"). Under the watch of the Bell Tower, they continue along the south face of the inner wall, on Water Lane, and just ahead is the famed Traitor's Gate; while today the area around here is paved and dry, in earlier times this was a "watergate" that allowed boats entry to the fortress. It was so named because this was the entrance by which prisoners (often traitors) entered the fortress, often never to leave. Ahead is Wakefield Tower, the entrance to the inner courtyards and a space that can be rented for small banquets and private dinners. Inside the inner courtyards, visitors get a good first look at the White Tower, the 11th century Norman castle at the heart of the Tower (and the original "Tower" the entire complex is named for). Built of distinctive white stone, it has been a beacon of royal power for centuries. It is four stories tall and at points has walls of up to 15 feet thick, with towers on the four corners that have cupolas atop them (added much later than the original structure). Within the Tower is an impressive collection of medieval armor and arms, as well as the well-preserved St. John's Chapel. Directly behind the White Tower is the Waterloo Block, also known as the Jewel House. A perennial favorite of visitors, the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are stored here when not in use. In the southeast corner of the inner courtyard (the "Inner Ward") is a charming green space backed by lovely Tudor structures whose calm belies their bloody history. This is the Tower Green which was the location of the executions of all of those prisoners who were given "Private" deaths (as opposed to a "Public" death which occurred outside the walls on Tower Hill before the London mob). Ultimately, it's impossible to fully appreciate the Tower without understanding its context. Like all fortresses, it was built to control and protect its surroundings, and the history of the Tower is bound up in the mutual histories of London and the Monarchy. The unfolding saga of war, imprisonment, glory, and treason in England can all be told through the lens of the Tower, and the lives that intersected with it.

The History of England's Famous Landmark

The Tower of London

*Includes pictures *Explains the history of the Abbey and what visitors can see there *Includes quotes about the Abbey *Includes footnotes and a bibliography for further reading "It is eerie being all but alone in Westminster Abbey. Without the tourists, there are only the dead, many of them kings and queens. They speak powerfully and put my thoughts into vivid perspective." - A.N. Wilson It almost goes without saying that Westminster Abbey is one of the foremost sites in Europe when it comes to being steeped in history. Dating back to the reign of William the Conqueror and the Norman conquest, Westminster Abbey has traditionally been the site of royal coronations, royal weddings, and royal burials, and anyone who enters can instantly feel that they are walking in the footsteps of some of the most influential figures in history, from Henry III to Queen Elizabeth I. Of course, Westminster Abbey is also far more than a place for royalty. As the English became to more intimately associate the site with their history and culture, luminaries from all walks of life have also been interred there, from Charles Darwin and Isaac Newton to Rudyard Kipling and Charles Dickens. Along with effigies, plaques, and various other monuments, walking through Westminster Abbey offers its own sort of crash course on England over the centuries. While Westminster Abbey has been an important site for nearly 1,000 years, it is perhaps unsurprising that it has had a volatile history, a byproduct of England's own tumultuous past. As a religious site first and foremost, the Abbey was at the forefront of the religious unrest that occasionally swept the British Isles, whether it was Henry VIII's formation of the Church of England or his devoutly Catholic daughter earning the sobriquet Bloody Mary. As a result of it all, the Abbey has served different religious purposes over the course of time as well. Westminster Abbey: The History of England's Most Famous Church looks at the history of the church from the Middle Ages to today and offers a tour of the different things that visitors will find there. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Westminster Abbey like never before, in no time at all.

The History of England's Most Famous Church

Westminster Abbey

*Includes pictures of Machu Picchu and other important people and places. *Explains the history of the site and the theories about its purpose and abandonment. *Describes the layout of Machu Picchu, its important structures, and the theories about the buildings' uses. In 1911, American historian Hiram Bingham publicized the finding of what at the time was considered a “lost city” of the Inca. Though local inhabitants had known about it for century, Bingham documented and photographed the ruins of a 15th century settlement nestled along a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, placed so perfectly from a defensive standpoint that it's believed the Spanish never conquered it and may have never known about it. Today, of course, Machu Picchu is one of South America's best tourist spots, and the ruins have even been voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. But even though Machu Picchu is now the best known of all Incan ruins, its function in Incan civilization is still not clear. Some have speculated that it was an outpost or a frontier citadel, while others believe it to be a sanctuary or a work center for women. Still others suggest that it was a ceremonial center or perhaps even the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish conquest. One of the most theories to take hold is that Machu Picchu was the summer dwelling of the Inca's royal court, the Inca's version of Versailles. As was the case with the renaming of Mayan and Aztec ruins, the names given to various structures by archaeologists are purely imaginary and thus not very helpful; for example, the mausoleum, palace or watchtower at Machu Picchu may have been nothing of the sort. What is clear at Machu Picchu is that the urban plan and the building techniques employed followed those at other Incan settlements, particularly the capital of Cuzco. The location of plazas and the clever use of the irregularities of the land, along with the highly developed aesthetic involved in masonry work, followed the model of the Inca capital. At Machu Picchu, the typical Incan technique of meticulously assembling ashlar masonry and creating walls of blocks without a binding material is astounding. The blocks are sometimes evenly squared and sometimes are of varying shape. In the latter case, the very tight connection between the blocks of stone seems quite remarkable. Even more astounding than the precise stone cutting of the Incas is the method that they used for the transportation and movement on site of these enormous blocks. The Incas did not have the wheel, so all the work was accomplished using rollers and levers. Machu Picchu: The History and Mystery of the Incan City comprehensively covers the history of the city, as well as the speculation surrounding the purpose of Machu Picchu and the debate over the buildings. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Machu Picchu like you never have before, in no time at all.

The History and Mystery of the Incan City

Machu Picchu

*Includes pictures of Machu Picchu and other important people and places. *Explains the history of the site and the theories about its purpose and abandonment. *Describes the layout of Machu Picchu, its important structures, and the theories about the buildings' uses. In 1911, American historian Hiram Bingham publicized the finding of what at the time was considered a "lost city" of the Inca. Though local inhabitants had known about it for century, Bingham documented and photographed the ruins of a 15th century settlement nestled along a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, placed so perfectly from a defensive standpoint that it's believed the Spanish never conquered it and may have never known about it. Today, of course, Machu Picchu is one of South America's best tourist spots, and the ruins have even been voted one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. But even though Machu Picchu is now the best known of all Incan ruins, its function in Incan civilization is still not clear. Some have speculated that it was an outpost or a frontier citadel, while others believe it to be a sanctuary or a work center for women. Still others suggest that it was a ceremonial center or perhaps even the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish conquest. One of the most theories to take hold is that Machu Picchu was the summer dwelling of the Inca's royal court, the Inca's version of Versailles. As was the case with the renaming of Mayan and Aztec ruins, the names given to various structures by archaeologists are purely imaginary and thus not very helpful; for example, the mausoleum, palace or watchtower at Machu Picchu may have been nothing of the sort. What is clear at Machu Picchu is that the urban plan and the building techniques employed followed those at other Incan settlements, particularly the capital of Cuzco. The location of plazas and the clever use of the irregularities of the land, along with the highly developed aesthetic involved in masonry work, followed the model of the Inca capital. At Machu Picchu, the typical Incan technique of meticulously assembling ashlar masonry and creating walls of blocks without a binding material is astounding. The blocks are sometimes evenly squared and sometimes are of varying shape. In the latter case, the very tight connection between the blocks of stone seems quite remarkable. Even more astounding than the precise stone cutting of the Incas is the method that they used for the transportation and movement on site of these enormous blocks. The Incas did not have the wheel, so all the work was accomplished using rollers and levers. Machu Picchu: The History and Mystery of the Incan City comprehensively covers the history of the city, as well as the speculation surrounding the purpose of Machu Picchu and the debate over the buildings. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Machu Picchu like you never have before, in no time at all.

*Includes pictures of important places and historic illustrations and art depicting Thor and other important Norse figures. *Explains the historical origins of the god, the mythological tales about him, and the literary evolution of Thor. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. "Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard, Where the Booming Heavens Roar, You'll behold in breathless wonder, the God of Thunder, Mighty Thor!" - Theme Song from the television show Mighty Thor (1966) "In swelling rage | then rose up Thor,--Seldom he sits | when he such things hears,--And the oaths were broken, | the words and bonds,The mighty pledges | between them made." - Voluspa Line #26 from the Poetic Edda A hammer no mortal can lift. A flame-haired fiery storm god. A comic book alien-hero-god who defends humanity. The swastika. Even the name "Thursday" ("Thor's Day"). Despite the virtual disappearance of the indigenous Norse religion and mythology several centuries ago, modern society still regularly encounters the storm god Thor, who continues to be brought back to life in the form of literature and was recently the protagonist in a big-budget Hollywood movie. What is it about this god, out of the hundreds (if not thousands) of deities that were consigned to the dustbin of history by the world's major religions, that so captures people's imaginations today? A better understanding of Thor's appeal can be found in just about every aspect of the history and evolution of the figure over the centuries, including the origins of the god, the evocative imagery used to describe him, and even the parallels between Thor and similar gods and heroes. All of this has been buffeted by literature, such as the stories about Thor found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, and the connection societies have had with Thor for hundreds of years, even up until today. This work also examines the decline and displacement of Norse mythology by Christianity, the reasons why Thor was often the last god worshiped by the Norse, and today's remnants of Thorism, including his parallels in other faiths, his role in revived Neo-Heathenism and his appearance in other media as a hero in comics and films. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Thor like you never have before, in no time at all.

Um homem caolho, com uma capa cinza e um chap�u de abas largas apoiando-se em uma bengala. Um andarilho que aparece quando menos esperado, trazendo triunfo ou perdi��o. O deus da profecia, poesia e destino. Um metamorfo. Um feiticeiro. O deus Odin representa uma figura dram�tica na mitologia n�rdica e permanece uma parte da imagina��o popular. Ele � a inspira��o para personagens como Gandalf o Cinza de J.R.R. Tolkien, e ainda faz parte de literatura moderna t�o variada quanto hist�rias em quadrinhos da Marvel bem como o romance de Neil Gaiman Deuses Americanos. Ao lado de seu filho Thor, Odin � um dos deuses n�rdicos mais bem conhecidos, e � bem f�cil esquecer-se que outrora ele esteve no centro de um pante�o devotamente adorado por milh�es de europeus durante a Idade M�dia. Odin possui numerosos nomes e t�tulos (mais de 200 de acordo com uma fonte), mas seu t�tulo mais conhecido � o "Pai de Tudo", o co-criador da Terra ("Midgard"), da humanidade e todas as criaturas que habitam esse mundo. Importante notar que ele tamb�m � o deus da profecia, �xtase, e poesia, pap�is todos profundamente conectados no mundo n�rdico, tendo em vista que a linha separando o poeta do profeta era t�nue e eles eram tidos como possuindo uma inspira��o por uma esp�cie de f�ria ext�tica. Esses pap�is eram conectados pelo fato de Odin patrocinar o conhecimento, especialmente o conhecimento m�stico, j� que ele era o descobridor de runas m�gicas e m�sicas que ent�o passou para a humanidade. Isso n�o foi obtido sem sacrif�cio - ele teve de arrancar um de seus pr�prios olhos e permanecer morto por nove dias com fim de adquiri-los. Odin era um deus da vida e tamb�m da morte, e famoso por tomar as almas de guerreiros que morriam em combate de volta ao seu reino de Valhalla. Seu papel estava ligado � sua posi��o como um deus da guerra, uma posi��o que talvez n�o pare�a evidente a um leitor moderno para um deus do conhecimento e sabedoria. Entretanto, Odin era o rei dos deuses e o mestre de Asgard; portanto, no entendimento n�rdico, uma de suas tarefas cruciais era a defesa daquele reino atrav�s de poderio militar quando necess�rio. Seus seguidores vivos iriam invoc�-lo durante batalhas, e dizia-se que ele levou campe�es e at� mesmo ex�rcitos de humanos ao triunfo. � �til comparar Odin a duas outras divindades proeminentes: Thor e Zeus. Thor, o filho de Odin, era um outro deus da guerra n�rdico, e Zeus era um outro deus rei. E ainda em ambos os casos, Odin difere grandemente destes deuses. Ele era mais enigm�tico, e seu poderio era mais indireto e sutil. Odin era um deus de mist�rios, de descobrir conhecimento obscuro, e ainda que fosse poderoso em batalha, as hist�rias onde ele tem maior destaque s�o aquelas onde ele assume formas discretas e faz com que os outros lhe passem informa��es que talvez n�o divulgassem t�o abertamente. Isso difere da natureza temperamental dos outros dois deuses e de seu orgulho. Odin sempre foi um deus que planejava muitos passos adiante, disposto a fazer sacrif�cios de curto-prazo extremos para progredir com seus planos, e continuamente trabalhava para endireitar a natureza de seu destino. Este livro explora a figura de Odin, incluindo suas origens, as hist�rias contadas sobre ele, o modo como era adorado e fragmentos e mem�rias dele que sobreviveram at� a era moderna. Junto de ilustra��es e uma bibliografia, voc� aprender� a respeito de Odin como nunca antes, e sem perder tempo.

Um homem caolho, com uma capa cinza e um chap�u de abas largas apoiando-se em uma bengala. Um andarilho que aparece quando menos esperado, trazendo triunfo ou perdi��o. O deus da profecia, poesia e destino. Um metamorfo. Um feiticeiro. O deus Odin representa uma figura dram�tica na mitologia n�rdica e permanece uma parte da imagina��o popular. Ele � a inspira��o para personagens como Gandalf o Cinza de J.R.R. Tolkien, e ainda faz parte de literatura moderna t�o variada quanto hist�rias em quadrinhos da Marvel bem como o romance de Neil Gaiman Deuses Americanos. Ao lado de seu filho Thor, Odin � um dos deuses n�rdicos mais bem conhecidos, e � bem f�cil esquecer-se que outrora ele esteve no centro de um pante�o devotamente adorado por milh�es de europeus durante a Idade M�dia. Odin possui numerosos nomes e t�tulos (mais de 200 de acordo com uma fonte), mas seu t�tulo mais conhecido � o "Pai de Tudo", o co-criador da Terra ("Midgard"), da humanidade e todas as criaturas que habitam esse mundo. Importante notar que ele tamb�m � o deus da profecia, �xtase, e poesia, pap�is todos profundamente conectados no mundo n�rdico, tendo em vista que a linha separando o poeta do profeta era t�nue e eles eram tidos como possuindo uma inspira��o por uma esp�cie de f�ria ext�tica. Esses pap�is eram conectados pelo fato de Odin patrocinar o conhecimento, especialmente o conhecimento m�stico, j� que ele era o descobridor de runas m�gicas e m�sicas que ent�o passou para a humanidade. Isso n�o foi obtido sem sacrif�cio - ele teve de arrancar um de seus pr�prios olhos e permanecer morto por nove dias com fim de adquiri-los. Odin era um deus da vida e tamb�m da morte, e famoso por tomar as almas de guerreiros que morriam em combate de volta ao seu reino de Valhalla. Seu papel estava ligado � sua posi��o como um deus da guerra, uma posi��o que talvez n�o pare�a evidente a um leitor moderno para um deus do conhecimento e sabedoria. Entretanto, Odin era o rei dos deuses e o mestre de Asgard; portanto, no entendimento n�rdico, uma de suas tarefas cruciais era a defesa daquele reino atrav�s de poderio militar quando necess�rio. Seus seguidores vivos iriam invoc�-lo durante batalhas, e dizia-se que ele levou campe�es e at� mesmo ex�rcitos de humanos ao triunfo. Um martelo que mortal algum pode levantar. Um deus da tempestade com cabelos de fogo. Um alien�gena-her�i-deus de hist�rias em quadrinho que defende a humanidade. A su�stica. At� mesmo o dia da semana, "Thursday" - quinta feira em ingl�s - tem seu nome ("Thor''s Day", o dia de Thor). Apesar do virtual desaparecimento da religi�o e mitologia n�rdica v�rios s�culos atr�s, a sociedade moderna ainda frequentemente depara-se com o deus da tempestade Thor, que continua a ser trazido de volta � vida na forma da literatura, e foi recentemente o protagonista de filmes de grande or�amento de Hollywood. Por que � que este deus, dentre as centenas (sen�o milhares) de divindades entregues � lixeira da hist�ria ao dar lugar para as religi�es hoje mais comuns do mundo, captura tanto a imagina��o das pessoas nos dias atuais? Uma melhor compreens�o da atra��o de Thor pode ser encontrada em quase todo aspecto da hist�ria e da evolu��o da figura ao decorrer dos s�culos, incluindo as origens do deus, as imagens evocativas usadas para descrev�-lo, e at� mesmo paralelos entre Thor e outros deuses e her�is similares. Tudo isso foi extensivamente explorado pela literatura, em hist�rias sobre Thor encontradas na Edda prosaica e po�tica, e a conex�o que sociedades tiveram com Thor por centenas de anos, chegando at� mesmo � contemporaneidade. Essa obra tamb�m examina o decl�nio e substitui��o da mitologia n�rdica pelo cristianismo, as raz�es pelas quais Thor foi frequentemente o �ltimo deus adorado pelos n�rdicos, e o que restou hoje do Thorismo, incluindo seus paralelos em outras f�s, seu papel no reavivado Neopaganismo e sua apari��o em outras m�dias como her�i de gibis e filmes.

Jesse Harasta

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