First edition
By David Adams Leeming and Margaret Adams Leeming
First editon
Covering thousands of years of intricate creation tales, A Dictionary of Creation Myths is the first and most comprehensive work devoted to creation myths from cultures throughout the world. This around-the-world tour provides quick access to information on the beliefs (both exotic and ordinary) of ancient civilizations from Sumeria and Babylonia to Egypt, Greece, and ancient Rome, from India and China to Japan and Indonesia, as well as the rich mythological history of Native Americans, the indigenous peoples of Australia, and many other cultures. Alongside these ancient beliefs are more modern explanations, such as Darwin's theory of evolution and the big bang theory.
Each entry identifies the culture associated with the myth, and each myth is retold in clear, eloquent prose, with extensive cross-referencing to guide readers to other entries. Throughout, the authors share insightful analyses of the surprisingly intricate relationship of certain myths across cultures, regions, and time. A Dictionary of Creation Myths is essential for anyone who was ever interested in how the world was created, where we came from, or why we are here at all, and in how different cultures have attempted to answer these questions throughout the ages.
David Adams Leeming is Professor of English and Comparative Literature (Emeritus) at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. He is the author of many books, including The World of Myth.
Margaret Adams Leeming is in a doctoral program in religious studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Print edition ISBN: 9780195102758
Publishing history: First published 1994
Copyright: © Oxford University Press, 1994, 2009
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