The Greek Heroes Stories Translated from Niebuhr with Additions 1901

The Greek Heroes: Stories Translated from Niebuhr with Additions

Arthur Rackham Mythologizes with The Greek Heroes

Spanning just 96 illustrated pages, The Greek Heroes condenses a handful of seminal Hellenic legends translated from German historian Barthold Niebuhr’s larger research works. The myths summarized include Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece with the Argonauts, the twelve labors of Heracles, the post-Trojan War myth of the Heraclids returning the descendents of Heracles to Athens, Perseus slaying Medusa, and the early exploits of Athenian founder-king Theseus.

The Greek Heroes Stories Translated from Niebuhr with Additions 1901 cover

Catch this Mt. Olympus showcase before the gods reclaim their glories!

Buy The Greek Heroes

Beloved illustrator Arthur Rackham’s visions for five seminal ancient Greek myths in a rare 1901 edition.

  • Features signature Rackham dramatic scenes like Odysseus vs. sirens and Perseus slaying Medusa
  • Perfect classical complement to his Northern European fairy tale fame
  • Exquisite opportunity to acquire Rackham’s brilliance gracing foundational Hellenic legends
  • Essential for fans of Rackham, mythology, classical studies, or Golden Age fantasy art


Arthur Rackham contributes four full-page color plates capturing the bold drama and emotions within the tales, including horrified matricide Orestes hounded by the Furies along with action-packed moments like the Argonauts battling bronze giant Talos. His eight supporting line drawing vignettes sculpt immersive glimpses into episodes like Odysseus’s men changed to pigs by Circe. Though spanning more iconic adventures, Rackham’s striking encapsulations display equal mastery conveying themes and psychology found in his acclaimed fairy tale interpretations simultaneously created during this period.

First Edition (1901): Green buckram binding (96 pages)

Later Edition (1910): Cloth binding Size: 5 x 6 7/8 inches

Text:

The Greek Heroes: Stories Translated from Niebuhr with Additions
With Four Coloured Plates and Numerous Other Illustrations by Arthur Rackham, R.W.S.
Cassell & Co., Ltd.
London, Paris, New York, and Melbourne, 1901.

Illustrations: 4 color plates and 8 black & white drawings by Arthur Rackham

Publisher: Cassell & Co., Ltd. (London et al.)

First Edition Publication Date: 1901

The Greek Heroes Stories Translated from Niebuhr color plates

At the height of his powers making a name visualizing Northern European fairy tales in the early 1900s, Arthur Rackham demonstrated more versatility by providing 12 rich illustrations for The Greek Heroes in 1901 – a series of ancient Hellenic myths translated from German historian Barthold Georg Niebuhr’s accounts. Though the slim book spans brief selections of iconic stories involving the gods and legends like Perseus and Orpheus, Rackham’s compositions distill the dramatic moments into singular arresting visions while cementing his reputation as the era’s ascendant myth whisperer. This rare early example experts his signature style onto classic Mediterranean lore, presaging a signature career interpreting the seminal fantasy foundations spanning world heritage.

The Greek Heroes 1910 cover
The Greek Heroes Stories Translated from Niebuhr with Additions 1901 cover

Don’t miss your chance to heroically capture this early legend in Rackham’s ascendance!

Buy The Greek Heroes 1910 Editon

Rare 1910 printing of Rackham’s mythic images gracing ancient Greek hero tales.

  • Seen in both blue and brown cloth
  • Cover features iconic mounted color plate of Jason’s Argonauts
  • Seminal crossover glimpse of fantasy master illustrating foundations of Western lore
  • Essential classic for fans of Rackham, myths, or Golden Age illustration

A decade after Arthur Rackham’s initial 1901 edition, The Greek Heroes stories saw a rare reprinted issue in 1910 from the same publisher containing Rackham’s original twelve illustrations across 96 pages. The navy blue or brown cloth-bound edition features Rackham’s iconic color plate of the Argonauts mounted on the cover along with the collection’s highlights of seminal Greco-Roman myths.

Translated once again from German historian Barthold Niebuhr, one of the leading Western scholars on Ancient Rome and Greece in the early 19th century, the tales summarize icons like Hercules, Perseus, Orpheus and other heroes part of the classical canon. The potent 2010 printing came amid Rackham’s fame cementing visions from Northern fairy tales and Celtic legends.

Though overshadowed by concurrent masterpieces, this encore presentation of Rackham’s Hellenic images indicates their lasting impact establishing the illustrator’s reputation beyond ephemeral Edwardian gift annuals. Their quality matched epic subject matter compared to previous uncredited magazine illustrations. This volume marks a turning point signaling the fantasist’s ascension from jobbing commercial artist toward lasting literary artist attaining household name status synonymous with storytelling enchantment.

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