WWTBAM Bored

A major trivia-gap for me is mythology. As I prepare for the possibility of TOC taping in January, I'm looking for an easy-to-digest guide to the basic gods, stories, etc. of Greek, Roman, Norse, and other assorted myths that might pop up on J!.

Thanks.

trevor_macfee wrote:A major trivia-gap for me is mythology. As I prepare for the possibility of TOC taping in January, I'm looking for an easy-to-digest guide to the basic gods, stories, etc. of Greek, Roman, Norse, and other assorted myths that might pop up on J!.

Thanks.

Edith Hamilton's Mythology is a good resource. It's old (I read it in high school back when it wasn't mythology, it was current events ) but it is a good summary of the Greek stories (and some of the Roman ones as well. Not so much for Norse or other cultures.

I have no current plans to get on a game sho, drat, but agree that this is an area of weakness for me.

Thanks for the recommendation. I have noted the call number at the library and intend to check it out.

Trevor,

Ovid's Metamorphoses gives you a lot of the basics, but really only for the Greek myths. But everyone should read Ovid anyway.

For more general information, you might take a look at Bulfinch's Mythology (Thomas Bulfinch was the son of the architect who designed the Massachusetts Capitol and part of the US Capitol-- itself a possible trivia question/answer). Pretty good stuff, and it covers the Greek, Roman and Norse myths, and some of the more generic Germanic myths as well. It's somewhat bowdlerized-- it was published around the time of Queen Victoria's jubilee, and in Boston of all places, so most of the naughty bits are missing-- but it does give you the basics, and even includes a little commentary in some parts that explains what is going on.

Thanks Ear and Wintergreen - I'll get one or both from Amazon today. I'm getting antsy about all the stuff I don't know as January seems to be rapidly approaching.

trevor_macfee wrote:Thanks Ear and Wintergreen - I'll get one or both from Amazon today. I'm getting antsy about all the stuff I don't know as January seems to be rapidly approaching.

I just hope you make it - I know that you've been watching J! with more than just a passing interest.

I read Hamilton in high school. Very good, but I don't recall that she covered Norse.

My sense would be if you learned the 4-5 top Norse gods you'd be OK. Thor, Odin, Freyr and Loki. Maybe do a flash card for each on their characteristics and things they specialize in. The wikipedia page on Norse mythology probably has plenty for what you need right now.

You might also explore a few other systems: Egyptian, Hindu gods, like that. But just 3-5 names from each should do it.

For Hindu, Norse, and Egyptian mythology, check out these NAQT resources:

http://naqt.com/YouGottaKnow/hindu-heroes.html

http://naqt.com/YouGottaKnow/norse-gods.html

http://naqt.com/YouGottaKnow/egyptian-deities.html

Good luck!