Jean-Pierre Vernant

A classic work that rereads questions of muthos and logos in multifaceted contexts. When Jean-Pierre Vernant first published Myth and Thought among the Greeks in 1965, it transformed the field of ancient Greek scholarship, calling forth a new way to think about Greek myth and thought. In eighteen essays—three of which, along with a new preface, are translated into English...

Myth and Tragedy in Ancient Greece by Jean-Pierre Vernant and Pierre Vidal-Naquet offers a compelling reinterpretation of Greek thought and literature. These scholars are at the forefront of contemporary French classical studies, renowned for their innovative approaches. In this work, presented as a single volume, the authors deliver a provocative and unconventional reading of Greek tragedy. They highlight its stark...

With Ancestor of the West, three distinguished French historians reveal the story of the birth of writing and reason, demonstrating how the logical religious structures of Near Eastern and Mesopotamian cultures served as precursors to those of the West. "Full of matter for anyone interested in language, religion, and politics in the ancient world."—R. T. Ridley, Journal of Religious History...