Mycenaean Origin of Greek Mythology (Sather Classical Lectures) (The Norton Library N234)

258 pp. The author argues that many of the myths found in Greek literature can be traced back to the Mycenaean civilization, which flourished in Greece from around 1600 BC to 1100 BC. Nilsson draws on archaeological evidence, linguistic analysis, and comparative mythology to support his thesis. He examines the role of Mycenaean religion in shaping Greek mythology, and discusses the influence of other cultures, such as the Minoans and the Hittites, on Greek myth. The book also includes a discussion of the Homeric epics, which Nilsson sees as a continuation of the Mycenaean tradition.