The foremost religious festival of ancient Athensmdash;the city dedicated to Athena; goddess of war; fertility; arts; and wisdommdash;was the Panathenaia. Challenging old assumptions and refuting new theories; Worshipping Athena addresses the many problems of interpretation and understanding that have swirled for years around the Panathenaia. Among the issues discussed is the recent sensational controversy over the Parthenon frieze; perhaps the best known but least understood work of Greek art. For centuries the frieze has been thought to represent the Panathenaia procession; but recently the argument has been advanced that it depicts the sacrifice of the daughters of the Athenian king Erechtheus. Worshipping Athena offers compelling evidence that the frieze does indeed depict the festal procession and also demonstrates that scenes of contemporary ritual were not unique to the Parthenon. Editor Jenifer Neils and the contributorsmdash;eminent classicists; archaeologists; and art historiansmdash;explore the role of the Panathenaia in Athenian life and compare it with similar festivals held throughout the ancient Greek world. They discuss such topics as the Panathenaiarsquo;s mythical origins; the phenomenon of the festivalrsquo;s valuable prizes (oil-filled amphoras; rather than the customary laurel wreath); and the architecture; sculpture; and painting related to the festival. Worshipping Athena will provide valuable insights to scholars and students concerned with ancient religion; mythology; art; literature; and gender issues; as well as anyone with a keen interest in the ritual topography of the Athenian Acropolis and the iconography of the Parthenon frieze.
#266041 in eBooks 2009-10-13 2009-10-13File Name: B00134XEUA
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An unbent tale..!!By Ms. Swati SrivastavaAll one has to do is read the introduction of this book. If after reading it. you cant help feeling atleast a bit sorrowful for the 12 year old whose work of art was changed against his wishes. you are going to love this book. Its certainly what happened to me.I am a young filmmaker and I write my own scripts. I want to say. that I have had just about enough of "how-to" books teaching young screenwriters about how to write "high concept" movies that sell quickly in Hollywood. Teaching young people in any profession how to sell ones soul while making a quick buck seems to have become the hallmark of all creative professions. As I was reeling from depression induced by reading one more of the "how to sell your screenplay in Hollywood" type book (to be fair I did learn somethings from that other book but it was as painful as trying to find a few pearls hidden behind layers upon layers of mud). I came across " Screenplays" by Mr. Cohen. I read the introduction on "look inside" feature and the honesty ingenuity in it. won me over. This was the book I wanted to read and I am so glad I did it.From the first pages. the book is gripping and I didnt want to put it down. But I did put it down and read it slowly. so that it gave me more time to chew it and absorb it. The book is thoughtful hopeful and well written. It provides food for thought for every kind of writer. It brought out the challenges of screenplay writing and development and what it means to stand up for the story you want to tell. The lessons I learnt from just the two chapters: "Its difficult talking to idiots" by writer-director Don Ross and "All you need is one person to believe in you" by novelist-screenplay writer George Dawes Green paid for the book itself. All the chapters have smart. practical tips mostly from people who had the guts to stand behind their stories and fought hard for it from page to screen. Now thats NOT what most get-rich-quick-in-Hollywood books are likely to teach effectively. is it?The most important tool in the toolbox for a budding artist is hope. Hope and a certain sense of faith in oneself. After all as per Mr. Cohens rule for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. "faith can move mountains of inventory"..! Conversely. the most dangerous place for an artist is being jaded. So. if you are feeling a little bid jaded and "torn at the edges". this is the book to cure you from it...!Mr. Cohen. thanks for writing this original book. This is certainly a "tale" that didnt get bent..!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I LOVE movie triviaBy A.I.very entertaining read. even if youre not a writer. I LOVE movie trivia. and to learn more about movies I love (or just the process of move making in general) is fascinating. and the writer clearly has a way with words. Its easy to read. but very well put together. Def recommend this book for a flight or a day at the pool.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Ever want to be a fly on the wall?By Laura SmithEverybody with a job wishes. at some point. to be a fly on the wall during an important conversation between masters in their field. and listen in to the important negotiations. discussions and decision-making.But in the elusive world of writing. master craftsmen become hermits and useful information from successful people actually making a living by crafting stories is hard to come by. Enter SCREEN PLAYS. Read it and find yourself in awe.But to be clear: theyre not all stories of success. Some illustrate bad choices and career-ending decisions. But learn from it. we will. No matter if youre wanting to be a screenwriter yourself. a novelist. a childrens author - whatever - if your craft involves plot. characters. and dialogue. you can learn something from this book.Moreover. SCREEN PLAYS is also entertaining. Because youve seen most of the movies the book discusses. you can compare the final product with the work that went into the creation - and youll find yourself nodding your head in agreement. reading with your mouth open in an O of wonder. and laughing at the events that unfold in this biography of sorts.I read this over a 6-week period; one movie discussion at a time as a break between other reading. This is a keeper for me and something I highly recommend to anyone interested in any kind of behind-the-scenes dirt on the business of writing.
