The Greek myths have been retold countless times first by the conquering Romans then through the medieval and Renaissance eras of Europe and finally finding new expression in masterworks of art literature and cinema on the global stage. Classical scholar Richard Buxton explores the stories at the heart of this ancient mythology and how they have come to influence our society today.0 The Greek legends seem to speak to us universally their deities tantalizingly human - often indulging in behaviours morally ambiguous at best and obscene at worst - and their heroes dealing with dilemmas and destinies that echo if exaggeratedly conflicts in our own lives. The dramatic choices that such figures as Prometheus Medea and Oedipus face have resonated with audiences over thousands of years. Each chapter focuses on a mythical character and the powerful stories and interpretations that surround them. Yet the myths relevance has not been uniform; they shift with the cultural tide. They have endured moments of censure criticism and even ridicule but now their influence can be recognized almost everywhere from opera to psychology from fashion to contemporary art. 0 How is it that these tales have retained their power to connect with our own fascinations fears and desires though they came from a world very different from our own? Here Buxton charts their cultural impact through a rich variety of re-imaginings examining the many guises they have taken through the ages and the profound truths that they continue to illuminate. How do ancient Greek myths find themselves retold and reinterpreted in cultures across the world several millennia later? In this volume bestselling author Richard Buxton explores the power that eight iconic Greek myths hold in the modern world. Buxton traces these stories and archetypes from their ancient forms through their transformations over time in literature art cinema psychology and politics. Over their long lives Greek myths have expressed a myriad of meanings: from aesthetic refinement to erotic fantasy to political power. Greek myths are an integral part of a broader cultural history their changes in meaning signifying major shifts in art and society; myths that strike a resonant cultural chord in one period may fall out of fashion the next. This erudite yet accessible exploration examines how the world s most influential myths have survived to the present and how they have shaped our ideas on everything from family and society to sexuality and culture. As Buxton explains each of the eight featured myths is fundamental to the way we think about ourselves and the world. The figure of Prometheus has inspired science fiction icons from Mary Shelley to Ridley Scott. The tragedy of Medea has had a profound impact on theater feminism and even criminology. Oedipus s influence stretches far beyond Freud. The rich visual tradition inspired by Greek myths--from pottery to paintings to popular culture --illustrates this wide-ranging sometimes surprising study making this book a beautiful object to own as well as a thought-provoking read.