World mythology. Roy Willis. 2000.

THE GREAT MYTHS of the world create meaning out of the fundamental events of human existence - birth, death conflict, loss, reconciliation, the cycle of the seasons. They speak to us of life itself in voices still intelligible, yet compellingly strange.

World Mythology is an authoritative and wide-ranging collection of the most important mythological traditions, combining the impact of pure narrative with the background necessary for understanding. Superbly illustrated with more than 500 colour photographs, artworks, charts and maps, this is the most accessible guide yet produced to the limitless heritage of the world's

Under the direction of Dr Roy Willis, twenty leading scholars have distilled the essence of each regional tradition. Each contributor navigates a clear path through the complexities of myth by focusing on the most significant figures and stories within a series of thematic essays.

Selected mythical episodes - the downfall of gods and demons, stories of revenge and metamorphosis, tales of doomed love and travels to the Underworld - are told at length, in special highlighted "features".

World Mythology is divided into the following Introduction to Myth, a summary of theories about the origins and meanings of myths, and the means by which they are transmitted.

The Great Themes of Myth, which examines subjects that recur across a range of civilizations, including Creation, The Origins of Society, Rebirth and Renewal, and Cosmic Disasters.

A World Mythography, a regional treatment of the major myth-making cultures, with maps, genealogical charts, line drawings and a wealth of colour photographs showing mythical imagery from contemporary art and artefacts.

Alongside the main essays, subsidiary essays focus on specific aspects of the theme.