Osiris and Isis

Egyptian myth about the Lord of the Dead and his wife, Osiris and Isis, by Padraic Colum.

Popul Vuh: Part IV

Part IV and Final section of the Popol Vuh, in 12 chapters, with footnotes.

Popol Vuh: Part III

Part III of the Mayan text Popol Vuh, in ten chapters with footnotes.

Popol Vuh: Part II

Part II of the Mayan text Popol Vuh, consisting of 14 chapters.

Popol Vuh: Part I

Part I of the Mayan sacred creation text: the Popol Vuh, consisting of 9 chapters.

Book of Abraham: Pearl of Great Price

The Book of Abraham as contained withing the Pearl of Great Price.

Descent of the Goddess Ishtar Into the Lower World

Translated by M. Jastrow: Babylonian / Assyrian myth of the goddess Ishtar and her descent into the underworld.

Beowulf--Anglo Saxon Version

Beowulf is the earliest, written epic in England. The tale is about a great monster which terrorizes the countryside and must be defeated. This version is in the original Anglo-Saxon.

Enuma Elish Creation Epic

The Enuma Elish is the earliest known creation myth. Of Babylonian origin, the epic was found on seven clay tablets, and this version was translated by L. W. King.

The Odyssey: Book IX

Book IX of the Odyssey (Roman translation). The adventures of Ulysseys with the cyclops Polyphemus. Polyphemus traps Ulysseys and twelve of his men in a cave, rolling a huge stone over the opening so that they cannot escape. After consuming six men, Ulysseys blinds Polyphemus with a great club (tree) of green olive wood and escapes by clinging to the bottom of sheep.

Partial Translation of the Piri Re'is Map

The famous Piri Re'is Map was draw in 1513 AD, but the map itself references numerous other maps from which it had been drawn. In one portion of the map, showing the coast of South America, this translation is found about Columbus's discovery of the New World. Note that according to this map, Columbus had a book which told him about the Western Continents, and it was the information from this book that Columbus sought to sail to the New World.

Egyptian Love Songs

Collected by Scribes over 3000 years ago, and laid in tombs so that they might be sung by departed souls in Paradise.

The Tale of Anpu and Bata

The earliest fairytale recorded comes from Egypt. The tale is about two brothers named Bata and Anpu. The tale is also sometimes called "The Peasant Who Became King."

Hamlet's Storm Mill

An excerpt from the Icelandic Sagas about King Frode and his Storm Mill. The Mill is a common image in world mythology.

Hymn to Demeter

This Homeric Hymn, composed in approximately the seventh century BCE, served for centuries thereafter as the canonical hymn of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The text below was translated from the Greek by Hugh G. Evelyn-White and first published by the Loeb Classical Library in 1914. This text has been scanned and proof-read by Edward A. Beach, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

The Enchanted Lake

An Irish fairytale about the abode of the fairies below an enchanted lake.

The Golden Mountain

A Russian Folktale about a rich merchant who tries to take advantage of a poor, prodigal son by trapping him atop a golden mountain.

Oedipus at Colonus

Oedipus at Colonus By Sophocles Translated by F. Storr London, Heinemann; New York, Macmillan [1912-13]

Oedipus the King

The famous play written by Sophocles. Translated by F. Storr London, W. Heinemann; New York, The Macmillan co., [1912-13]