Book excerpt: Myths inspired Greek and Roman artists to rise to the challenge of conveying flowing narratives in static form. This book describes the different ways painters, sculptors and other artists explored and exploited the dense forest of myth. It explains how formulas were devised for certain stories; how these could be adapted, developed and even transferred to other contexts; how one myth could be distinguished from another - or confused with it; how myths related to daily life or political propaganda; and the influence of evolving tastes. Written in a lively and accessible style, fully illustrated with examples drawn from a wide range of media, Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity provides fresh and stimulating insights into the representation of myths in Greek and Roman art.