Gretchen Beilfuss Witt

Immortal words

With the movie adaptation of “The Lightning Thief “ just out in theatres to be closely followed by a remake of “Clash of the Titans”, the moviegoer is well advised to brush off that old mythology book and catch up on Who’s Who in the Greco-Roman world. Mythologies of the world have moved artists of all types of media to recreate the stories of yore. Morford and Lenardon’s “Classical Mythology” relates these timeless stories as they are traditionally remembered. The twelve Olympians and their escapades, the demigods and the great sagas of Perseus, Hercules and Odysseus are recounted. A ‘music and film’ section near the end of the book shares how these marvelous tales have inspired other works. Great composers including Scarlatti, Beethoven and Stravinsky have crafted brilliant works from Greek sagas. From operas to Cole Porter’s musical “Out of This World”, these stories have entertained for centuries and continue to encourage creative musings.
Patrice Kindl’s “Lost in the Labyrinth” is a marvelous account of the family of the ‘minotaur’ of Crete. Told from the perspective of the younger sister of Ariadne, Xenodice explains about her half-brother Asterius, the Minotaur, her love for Icarus, the inventor’s son, and the spitefulness of her sister Ariadne. Unlike the patriarchal centered Greek culture, Xenodice relates that her island kingdom is ruled by her mother, Queen Pasiphae. The story begins just before Theseus’ arrival on the island of Crete or Knossos as part of the Athenian tribute. Her life is turned upside down by the love affair of Theseus and Ariadne and the consequences precipitated by the choices of each character.
Piers Anthony’s series on the Incarnations of Immortality” takes a darkly humorous look at a strange world parallel to our own. In the battle between God and Satan, others have taken important roles; Fate, in reality three women who inhabit one body changing as needed, spin, measure and cut the thread of life, Mars the god of war supervises the wars of the world, and Chronos, who moves backwards through time all influence the mortals around them . “On A Pale Horse”, begins the series describing how Zane, a mortal about to commit suicide instead shoots Death and assumes the role of Thanatos, collector of souls. As the other Incarnations help him adapt to his new role, Zane’s love for a young woman, Luna pits him in a battle with Satan himself. With Luna’s life at stake, Zane must best the Prince of Lies, who tries to cheat his way to victory.
With a futuristic twist, Dan Simmons, adapts the story of the Olympiads and Iliad. Set on Mars in the fortieth century, “Ilium” is narrated by a resurrected twenty-first century Ancient Greek Scholar, who now serves the Muse in a landscape burgeoning with technological marvels. Adele Geras has followed up her account of Troy with “Ithaka” told by Klymene, childhood friend of Telemachus, Odysseus’ son. She recounts Penelope’s long wait, her own love of Telemachus and the betrayals and loyalties that restore the King to his throne.
Journeys, magical talismans, monsters and mythical beasts of Greek origin fascinate and continue to capture our attention. Pick up a book and immerse yourself in a different world.