Writing Down the Myths ed. by Joseph Falaky Nagy (review)

Writing Down the Myths contains a collection of recent scholarly research relating to mythography. Rather than focusing on the myths themselves, each chapter aims to do exactly what the title says, that is, critically address the activity of writing down the myths, together with how this has affected their preservation, interpretation, and modern understanding. Writing Down the Myths does not restrict itself to one period of time or one geographical area. Instead, its chapters demonstrate that the questions faced by scholars exist across the field of study, irrespective of place or time, and this strengthens the academic reliability of the book.

While the chapters cover a wide range of themes, all chapters will be of interest to any scholar interested in myths and their origins. For medievalists and early modern historians, approximately half of the volume is of specific significance. Among these, several stand out. The first such chapter is that by Jan Ziokowski, ‘Medieval Latin Mythography as Death and Resurrection of Myth’, which argues that myth and mythography have been underrepresented in medieval Latin studies at the expense of classical works. Ziokowski also considers the link between the survival, and more correctly, non-survival, of myth as a result of religious change.

‘Snorri Sturlason and the Construction of Norse Mythography’, by Margaret Clunies Ross, aims to place Snorri Sturlason’s writing in its medieval context through a discussion of its sources and reception in both Iceland and in mainland Europe. The chapter includes an interesting look at the Edda as an educational device during Snorri’s life, with a suggestion that it was in fact more useful in teaching the art of Norse poetry than as a record of Norse mythology. The chapter also argues that Snorri’s work was more creative than previously recognised, even suggesting that the Edda is one of the most original works of the period.

Gísli Sigurðsson’s chapter, ‘Thor and the Midgard Serpent: Whom Should We Read, Snorri or Finnur?’, is of particular note for readers with an interest in the study of the supernatural in texts. Sigurðsson considers the problems associated with determining the extent to which the sources represent traditional knowledge and beliefs, against that which was created by those who first recorded the texts in writing. Again, the chapter also recognises the poetic value of such myths.

While the title of Stephanie W. Jamison’s chapter, ‘India and the Graphy O’ Myth’, suggests that it is solely concerned with Indian myths and their origins, this is far from the case. This chapter begins with an enlightening discussion of the similarities in the first written recordings of myths across cultures. Jamison’s main discussion centres on the Rig Veda, to demonstrate how the generally accepted models of mythology and mythography do not fit ancient and medieval Indian texts. This thought-provoking chapter challenges readers to think about whether the sources within their own area of study actually fit within set guidelines.

Other chapters in the book utilise examples as wide-ranging as Hittite, Greek, Roman, Celtic, and early modern Japanese mythology to demonstrate their arguments, and while the book is written to a high academic standard, the reader does not need to possess expert knowledge in these cultures to be able to appreciate the chapters. Individual authors are successful in their discussions of the problems and theories of the study of mythography related to their own particular area of research, while still providing interesting ideas that could be extended into others.

Overall, the volume is successful in creating a starting point for ongoing scholarship and discussion related to the activity of writing down myths. Anyone interested in the links between history, mythology, and the action of writing down of myths across all cultures and times will find Writing Down the Myths an interesting read.