One of the many future projects I have stirring in my head is a game of pro-humanist Harryhausen-esque mythic Greek adventure. The working title is "House of Heracles."

Does anyone have any suggestions for good books about Greek mythology, especially stories focusing on monsters and the heroes that kill them. All that good Theseus and Heracles stuff. The less bowdlerized the better.

Edith Hamilton and Bullfinch's Mythology are obvious choices. Any other good resources? (Yes, I'm looking at you, Ian.)

I'll bring a mishmash of books to Archon for you to look at. Some of these have excellent artistic interpretations of the Imperial Mycenae/Trojan War period.

And there's an issue. Are you aiming for a historical period (remember, even Homer makes references to archaic ideas and items) or are you aiming for a Height of the Delphic League's mythological interpretation of the period? They're rather different. Linear B versus early Greek script, for example--the one cumbersome, the other fluid and graceful.

My collection is more heavily tilted in favor of the historical, naturally.

Then of course, there is always the Xenaesque interpretation-- no! Not in the face! Not in the face!

Thanks, Ian. I'm certainly looking for a more romanticized "Heroic Age" feel, although something that gives me a feel for "everyday life in Athens" might be good too.

And you laugh, but I own the Hercules/Xena RPG. Chakram dice and everything.

jlhburnett wrote:
"And you laugh, but I own the Hercules/Xena RPG. Chakram dice and everything."

Laugh? I?

But do you have the Gladiator Movie/Sons of Hercules RPG? Or is there even one written? Ye gods, talk about cinematic overacting!

ok, but my wife has all the xena seasons (minus season 2 for some reason) and my daughter has the xena/hercules animated musical.

as for hercules movies, you haven't lived until you've seen hercules in new york.

unfortunately, i cant point out any good resources for you josh. mythology isnt my forte.

MK

mtkuszek wrote:
"as for hercules movies, you haven't lived until you've seen hercules in new york."

Also released under the title "Hercules Goes Bananas" and starrign a young Governator with all the dialogue dubbed, as I recall.