In spite of the growing amount of important new work being carried out on uses of myth in particular ancient contexts, their appeal and reception beyond the framework of one culture have rarely been the primary object of enquiry in contemporary debate. Wandering Myths edits and interprets the research presented at three workshops and an international conference of the same title that were held in Oxford between January and April 2014.
Ancient societies shared and were linked by their understanding of mythological narratives, from the Ancient Near East to Rome and beyond. In order to assess wider geographic circulations and to explore local resonances in their different contexts, a regional approach is adopted, followed by a thematic chapter focusing on specific heroes to further a synthesis of the different areas. All chapters are interlinked by general questions towards an understanding of the factors that guided the processes of reception and steered the facets of local interpretation. The epilogue evaluates the material in a synoptic way and responds to the challenging questions and views expressed in the introduction.