Myths, Muses and Mortals

William Furley is Emeritus Professor of Greek at Heidelberg University and Research Fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies, London. His publications include Greek Hymns (2001) and three editions of plays by Menander: Epitrepontes (2009), Perikeiromene (2015) and Misoumenos (2021).

"In his new thematic overview of ancient Greek culture, the classicist Furley notes that his subjects never "thought of writing just for themselves, as a meditation or perhaps a kind of self-expression or therapy." Since so many scholars today write only for themselves, Myths, Muses and Mortals comes as a double delight: free of academic jargon, to be sure, but also underpinned by frequent and ample citations from major poems, plays, philosophical tracts, and other writings of the ancient Greek world. Divided into chapters on love, social status, sailing, warfare, and more, the volume is an ideal primer for the fledgling Hellenophile." - New Criterion"[An] engaging cover-to-cover read. The book splendidly conveys to the non-specialist reader the texture and flavor of ancient literature across virtually all genres. For teachers, it will suggest a wealth of possibilities that will reward exploration in the classroom." - The Classical Journal"An engaging book which approaches the ancient Greek world from an interesting and fresh point of view." - Jan Haywood, Lecturer in Ancient History, University of Leicester"William Furley writes with the authority of the distinguished scholar that he is but also with the irresistible enthusiasm of a writer completely in love with his subject. I challenge anyone to read this book without being totally won over to Furley’s view that the ancient Greeks are curious, unique and utterly fascinating." - Anthony A. Barrett, Emeritus Professor of Classics, University of British Columbia"Myths, Muses and Mortals is a unique book. It explores all aspects of life in ancient Greece through a wide range of Greek texts from Homer and Herodotus to curse tablets and political inscriptions. William Furley writes masterfully and brings the past to life again." - Jonas Grethlein, Professor of Classics, Heidelberg University

• ForewordGlossary of Ancient TermsNote on MetreLOVE Epic love Comic love Passionate Love Wives and kept women Higher Spheres Down to Earth STATUSGods Homer The Great and the Good New Men Salt of the Earth Status Symbols SAIL AND OAR For Those in Peril Gateway to Elysium SIGNS Birds and Beasts Oracles Dreams A Little Theory Pseudo-Sciences THE DAILY ROUND At Home The Agora Messaging Dinnertime Bedtime Street Crime A BETTER WORLD The Beginnings Elysian Fields Celibacy Out of the Dark Orphic InitiationWARFARE Epic Lyric: Love and War The Heroic and the not-so heroic War is the Father Lady Luck DRESS CODE Women Men CELEBRATION Myth History Private Celebration Notes on Ancient Authors and SourcesReferencesFurther ReadingAcknowledgmentsPhoto AcknowledgementsIndex