Ferdie Addis

Opening Pandora’s Box

Phrases We Borrowed From the Classics and the Stories Behind Them

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Details

Imprint: O'Mara Books

Publication date: 04/04/2013

ISBN: 9781782430230

Subject: Non-Fiction

Category: Science - History - Philosophy

Binding: Paperback

Size: Other

Extent: 192 pages

Territorial Rights: World (All Languages)

Edition Status: Out of Print

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Summary:

We regularly employ classically-derived expressions in our everyday language, yet many of us have little understanding of the origin of these common phrases. Now, an incomplete classical education need no longer be your Achilles heel.

Opening Pandora's Box offers a light-hearted yet fascinating look at the stories behind the expressions. For example, did you know that the phrase 'the face that launched a thousand ships' originates from the story of the kidnapping of Helen of Troy, but the actual line comes from a poem by Christopher Marlowe?

Opening Pandora's Box provides a useful introduction to classical mythology as well as giving an insight into our language.

Reviews:

Entertaining and informative, this book provides a fascinating and useful introduction to classical mythology, history and culture

The Oldie

A light-hearted yet fascinating look at the stories behind the expressions... a useful introduction to classical mythology as well as giving an insight into our versatile language

Lancashire Evening Post

Sales points:

  • Now in paperback, this is an intriguing look at how the myths and legends of the Greeks and Romans have infiltrated our modern-day language

  • From Elysian Fields and epic proportions to Oedipal desires, spartan conditions, siren voices, and the hounds of hell, no longer will these Classical phrases remain shrouded in mystery

  • Light and witty in tone, it explains the Classical tales behind the stock expressions we use everyday

  • From the publishers of A Classical Education (over 58,000 copies sold to date)

About the Author:

Ferdie Addis

Ferdie Addis read Classics at Oxford University, before embarking on a career as a journalist and author. He has written The Good Samaritan Bites the Dust (2011), I Have a Dream (2011) and Opening Pandora’s Box (2010) for Michael O’Mara Books. He lives in London.