Summary of Stephen Fry's Mythos

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Stephen Fry's Mythos in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book.Original book introduction: Here are the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths, stylishly retold by Stephen Fry. The legendary writer, actor, and comedian breathes life into ancient tales, from Pandora's box to Prometheus's fire, and transforms the adventures of Zeus and the Olympians into emotionally resonant and deeply funny stories, without losing any of their original wonder. Classical artwork inspired by the myths and learned notes from the author offer rich cultural context.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Feb 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638154037

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights from The Beginning Part 1

#1

The ancient Greeks believed the universe was created by Chaos, a kind of grand cosmic yawn which began a great chain of creation, resulting in all of earth’s life.

#2

From Chaos emerged the primordial deities, the First Order of divine beings: Erebus (darkness), Nyx (night), Hemera (day), Aether (light), Gaia (earth), Tartarus (caves), Pontus (sea), and Ouranos (sky).

#3

Time began when Ouranos and Gaia came together. Together, they had twelve children who became the Second Order of divine beings.

#4

Not satisfied with just twelve offspring, they created two sets of triplets, the three Cyclopes, and a set of triplets with fifty heads each. Ouranos was repulsed by their ugliness so he pushed both sets of triplets back into Gaia’s womb.

#5

Filled with pain and anger, Gaia approached her twelve children, asking them to help her destroy their father. All her children refused to help Gaia kill Ouranos except their youngest son Kronos.

#6

Using a sickle his mother gave him, Kronos attacked his father one night when his parents were about to engage in an act of lovemaking. Kronos sprang out of the dark, sliced off his father’s genitals,