Includes index.

Every culture and time has its myths. You might say that myths help us to understand people, since just like people they can be inspirational and beautiful, as well as cruel and violent. If you want all the scoop on gods and goddesses, fates and furies, monsters and heroes from around the world, Mythology for Dummies is the Who's Who of mythological figures that you can't do without. It's no secret that mythology can be confusing for anyone. This book will get you up to speed on the heavy stuff-like how mythology intersects with our lives, and explores the meaning of existence. Organized into chapters on specific topics, it breaks down the common types of myths and mythological figures, and offers plain-English explanations of how myths have appeared in cultures throughout the ages. Also has helpful features like charts comparing major figures, and a tip-sheet with a timeline of world civilizations. From the Iliad to the Aeneid, from Camelot to Valhalla, this highly readable book demystifies mythologies from all over the globe. Beginning with the ancient Greeks and Romans, this book explores the lesser-known stories of northern Europe, the Middle East, Egypt, India, China, Japan, and the Americas.