Academic Books on Pantheons

[DomesticWitch]

I've done very little research into the gods and goddesses of different patheons and I'm always wary of information within Pagan books on them. I'd like some sort of academic works on the different pantheons, the myths that surround them and their history. I was hoping someone here could recommend some books for me

(Any pantheons, I dont have a particular interest at the moment)

[veggiewolf]

I've done very little research into the gods and goddesses of different patheons and I'm always wary of information within Pagan books on them. I'd like some sort of academic works on the different pantheons, the myths that surround them and their history. I was hoping someone here could recommend some books for me

(Any pantheons, I dont have a particular interest at the moment)

Egyptian Mythology; A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt by Geraldine Pinch. It is published by Oxford University Press.

[Devo]

(Any pantheons, I dont have a particular interest at the moment)

I really only know about AE.. sooooo....

The Complete Gods and Goddesses of AE: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Gods-...1178473&sr=8-2

-Devo

[Micheál]

I was hoping someone here could recommend some books for me

The Lore of Ireland: An Encyclopaedia of Myth, Legend and Romance by Dáithí Ó hÓgáin. I'd highly recommend that one for an academic dissection of Irish deities, and another plus is that it's a thorough encyclopaedia of Irish myth, and folklore(including Christian) if interested in the traditional culture.

[SatAset]

I've done very little research into the gods and goddesses of different patheons and I'm always wary of information within Pagan books on them. I'd like some sort of academic works on the different pantheons, the myths that surround them and their history. I was hoping someone here could recommend some books for me

(Any pantheons, I dont have a particular interest at the moment)

Ancient Egyptian:

Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses and Traditions of AE by Geraldine Pinch
The Complete Gods and Goddesses of AE by Richard Wilkinson
Egyptian Myths by George Hart
A Dictionary of AE Gods and Goddesses by George Hart

Orisa:
Black Gods: A Study of the Orisa in the New World by John Mason

Heathen:
Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland

[Juniperberry]

I've done very little research into the gods and goddesses of different patheons and I'm always wary of information within Pagan books on them. I'd like some sort of academic works on the different pantheons, the myths that surround them and their history. I was hoping someone here could recommend some books for me

(Any pantheons, I dont have a particular interest at the moment)

For Norse Myth:

Dictionary of Northern Mythology is a great book. Simek describes the gods, their relations to the myths and events; concepts of salvation, law, peace; death cults, burial methods, etc.

It's obviously not a chapter book and doesn't narrate the myths per se, but in each entry there are sources cited that will give you a great list if you want to research a particular topic, myth, god, or hero further.

I read it page by page as often as I use it as a reference book. Chock full of info.

[Ghost of the Navigator]

I've done very little research into the gods and goddesses of different patheons and I'm always wary of information within Pagan books on them. I'd like some sort of academic works on the different pantheons, the myths that surround them and their history. I was hoping someone here could recommend some books for me

(Any pantheons, I dont have a particular interest at the moment)

For academic works I will reference my The Ultimate Encylopedia of Mythology by Cotterell & Storm. Doesn't go extremely in depth but cover the "highlights" for Gods and Goddesses aswell as covering several pantheons. I picked it up for cheap from Barnes and Noble.

[Aster Breo]

The Lore of Ireland: An Encyclopaedia of Myth, Legend and Romance by Dáithí Ó hÓgáin.

Also, Miranda Green's books: The Gods of the Celts and Celtic Goddesses, and RJ Stewart's Celtic Gods, Celtic Goddesses. Gods and Heroes of the Celts, by Marie-Louise Sjoestedt, is often on recommended reading lists. I read it so long ago, I don't really remember it. I'd start with one of the others first, then go to Sjoestedt.

Another idea is something like Don't Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned, by Kenneth C. Davis. It's an easy read and touches on a pretty wide variety of cultures and their god/desses. Obviously, it doesn't go into a lot of detail on anything, but it could be a good place for you to start.

[DomesticWitch]

Another idea is something like Don't Know Much About Mythology: Everything You Need to Know About the Greatest Stories in Human History but Never Learned, by Kenneth C. Davis. It's an easy read and touches on a pretty wide variety of cultures and their god/desses. Obviously, it doesn't go into a lot of detail on anything, but it could be a good place for you to start.

Thank you so much for the suggestions everyone!!

[catja6]

***

For an easy but substantive read, I love Morford, Lenardon and Sham's Classical Mythology (Oxford U P). It was designed as a textbook for college courses in the subject, and follows a clear progression of ideas. It's in the ninth edition now, but earlier editions can be had more cheaply. It's really an excellent investment, and one of the best introductory texts out there.