Ancient Greek Classics

The myth of King Midas is a cautionary tale about the dangers of believing that gold should be coveted above all things, and the foolishness of wishing without thinking. It appeared in Ovid's "Metamorphosis", and has inspired many works of art and literature through the centuries. This is a retelling of the complete tale of "The King with the Golden Touch", from the Gordian knot to the ears of an ass, in great detail and with an elegant style that will edify children and adults alike.

The myth of Echo and Narcissus appears in Ovid's "Metamorphosis", a Latin mythological epic from the Augustan Age. It is one of the most touching stories ever written and has inspired countless works of art through the centuries. The nymph Echo angers Hera, queen of the gods, who curses her: henceforth, Echo will only be able to repeat the last words that struck her ears. One day, the beautiful Narcissus, son of a nymph and a river god, passes through the forest.

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is the ultimate tragic love story. It is perhaps one of the most famous Greek myths, and the greatest artists have composed masterpieces to honour these two great lovers who lost their chance at reunion. The earliest account comes from Ibycus (circa 530 BC), a Greek lyric poet. This short story is a mixture of the various existing versions, presenting the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in all its details, all the way to Orpheus' death at the hands of the Bacchantes.

The myth of Icarus is an ageless story of failure at the hands of pride, similar to that of Phaeton. It is a fundamental part of Greek mythology and of modern culture. This short story is a retelling of the myth from 1914, a year in which it was easy to fear for a son who would soar in the sky with metal wings; the story of Icarus and Daedalus is told in great detail and with an elegant style that will edify children and adults alike.

"The Death of Adonis" is a fundamental part of Greek mythology and one of its most touching stories. Accidentally wounded by one of Eros' arrows, the goddess Aphrodite falls desperately in love with the handsome Adonis, son of a king and a beauty among mortals. Yet his only passion is hunting and he refuses to take her warnings seriously when he hears about a great boar he would love to slay. There is something of the idea of coming of age in this tale, when the moment of realisation brings forth the understanding of what could have been and where the real beauty lays.

Quando una nave arriverà da Delo, Socrate dovrà morire. Bisogna forse sottrarsi a questo destino, come vorrebbero gli amici? Ma così verrebbe negato tutto quanto Socrate ha costruito nella sua vita, tutto il patrimonio di coerenza e dirittura morale che lo ha sempre contraddistinto e guidato. No, si deve affrontare ciò che è stato deciso secondo la legge, quella legge che è ossatura e anima dell’amata città. A chi piacerebbe una città senza leggi?

Myths and legends form the foundation for all cultures. The Greek and Roman myths were early tales created to explain the world and are now inextricably woven throughout music, art, film, theater, literature, politics and daily life. Thousands of years old, these myths continue to inspire and intrigue. Myth: Dreams of The World, keeps these stories vibrant with new recordings by an intriguing array of artists including Iggy Pop, George Clinton, Lori Carson, Suzanne Vega, Lemmy, Jaron Lanier, and more.