Gods and Heroes

audiobook

Gods and Heroes

by Ferdinand Schmidt, Karl Friedrich Becker

EN·~1 hours·21 chapters

Chapters

21 total

Translator’s Preface

2:52

Gods and Heroes - Chapter I Prometheus

11:34

Chapter II Deucalion and Pyrrha

8:19

Chapter III Hermes (Mercury)

4:48

Chapter IV Phaëthon

9:39

Chapter V Orpheus

3:20

Chapter VI Atalanta

4:12

Chapter VII Tantalus

2:10

Chapter VIII Salmoneus, Sisyphus, Ixion, and Phlegyas

2:48

Chapter IX Niobe

6:34

Description

These bite‑size myths bring the ancient pantheon to life, spotlighting the lesser‑known gods whose passions and foibles echo our own. In the opening tale, the rebel Titan Prometheus defies Zeus to protect humanity, gifting fire, language and the tools of civilization while teaching the first people to read the heavens and harness the earth’s bounty. The narrative balances grand divine conflict with intimate moments of compassion, showing how a single act of kindness can shape the fate of a species.

The collection continues with a series of polished, entertaining sketches that reveal the moral stakes of each deity’s choices. From mischievous sprites to solemn guardians, every story blends timeless lessons with vivid imagination, inviting listeners to ponder the delicate line between reverence and rebellion. The telling is clear and refined, making the ancient world feel both familiar and freshly intriguing.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~1 hours (105K characters)

Series

Life Stories for Young People

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by D A Alexander, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

Jul 21, 2019

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the authors

Ferdinand Schmidt

Ferdinand Schmidt

1816–1890

Known for writing for young readers and working people, this 19th-century German author combined storytelling with a strong interest in education. His books ranged from history and legend to lively retellings that later reached English-speaking readers in translation.

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Karl Friedrich Becker

Karl Friedrich Becker

1777–1806

Best remembered for making world history accessible to young readers, this German educator and historian wrote a widely used history of the world before his life was cut short at just 29. His work lived on long after his death through many later editions and revisions.

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