Orpheus Myths of the World by Padraic Colum Illustrations by Boris Artzybasheff [1930, copyright not renewed]

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This is a survey of world mythology by Padraic Column. Originally titled 'Orpheus, Myths of the World', later editions were retitled simply 'Myths of the World'. Colum was a prolific writer on this subject, and although best known for his adaptations of Celtic tales, particularly for younger readers, he also wrote several books for a wider audience, including three on the mythology of the Pacific area. This volume can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Although all of the material here is covered elsewhere at this site, the selection and retelling in a consistent voice allow the reader to spot parallels between diverse traditions, and recognize outcroppings in particular narratives of unique features.

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Title Page

Introduction

The Significance of Mythology
Egyptian Mythology
Babylonian
Persian
Jewish: Post-Christian Period
Greek
Latin
Graeco-Roman
Celtic
Finnish
Icelandic
Indian
Chinese
Japanese
Polynesian
Peruvian
Central American and Mexican
Zuñi
Conclusion
Contents

Egyptian

Osiris and Isis
Rê, His Going-Down and Uprising

Babylonian

In the Beginning
Gilgamish
The Story of Uta-Napishtim and of the Deluge that Destroyed All that was on the Earth
Ishtar's Descent into the World Below

Persian

Jamshīd the Resplendent

Jewish Post-Christian Period

The Angels and the Creation and Fall of Man
The Confounding of the Angel of Death

Greek

In the Beginning
Prometheus
Pandora
Demeter
Orpheus
Dionysos
Apollo
Herakles, Part I
Herakles, Part II

Roman

The Children of Mars, Part I
The Children of Mars, Part II
Numa the Law-Giver
The Sibyl
Pomona and Vertumnus

Græco-Roman

Cupid and Psyche. Part I
Cupid and Psyche, Part II

Celtic

Irish

Midir and Etain
The Death of Conaire Mór, the King of Ireland, Part I
The Death of Conaire Mór, the King of Ireland, Part II
The Voyage of Bran to the Land of the Immortals

Welsh

Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed and His Visit to Annwfn, the Realm of Faërie
Math, the Son of Mathonwy: Part I. The Treachery of Gwydion and Gilvaethwy
Math, the Son of Mathonwy: Part II. The Transformations of Gwydion and Gilvaethwy
Math, the Son of Mathonwy: Part III. Gwydion and Arianrhod
Math, the Son of Mathonwy: Part IV. The Maiden Made of Flowers

Finnish

Lemminkainen, His Destruction and His Restoration to Life

Icelandic

In the Beginning
The Building of the Wall
Mimir
Baldr
Loki's Punishment
The Children of Loki
Ragna Rök, the Fate of the Gods

Indian

Vedic

The Heavenly Nymph and her Mortal Husband

Epic

The Churning of the Ocean
The Birth of the Ganges
Sāvitrī and the Lord of the Dead
Damayantī's Choice

Buddhist

Gotama's Attainment

Chinese

In the Beginning
The Weaver Maiden and the Herdsman

Japanese

The Sun Goddess and the Storm God and the Strife there was Between Them
The First People

Polynesian

In the Beginning
How Ma-Ui Strove to Win Immortality For All Creatures
Pe-le, Hawaii's Goddess Of Volcanic Fire, Part I
Pe-le, Hawaii's Goddess Of Volcanic Fire, Part II
Pe-le, Hawaii's Goddess Of Volcanic Fire, Part III

Peruvian

Viracocha
The Llama-Herder and the Virgin of the Sun

Central American and Mexican

In the Beginning
The Twin Heroes and the Lords of Xibalba
Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl's Enemy
The Gods of the Azteca
The Azteca

Zuñi

Paíyatuma and the Maidens of the Corn