Roman Legends: A collection of the fables and folk-lore of Rome

Name: Roman Legends: A collection of the fables and folk-lore of Rome
Author: Rachel Harriette Busk

By Rachel Harriette Busk

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Mythology, Legends & Folklore

About This Book

The volume gathers legends, folk tales, and popular fables collected around Rome, combining saints' miracles, local superstitions, fairy-tale motifs, and festival rhymes. A candid preface recounts fieldwork methods and the difficulties of eliciting oral tradition from reluctant narrators, while the selections range from brief rimed legends sold at church doors to fuller narrative retellings. Recurring elements include transformation, moral retribution, and the blending of sacred ritual with everyday belief, with attention to regional variants and the quirks of memory and transmission.

About the Author

Rachel Harriette Busk

Rachel Harriette Busk was a notable author and folklorist known for her contributions to the collection and retelling of traditional stories from various cultures. Her works often explore the rich tapestry of folklore, as seen in her well-regarded titles such as "Household Stories from the Land of Hofer; or, Popular Myths of Tirol" and "Patrañas; or, Spanish Stories, Legendary and Traditional." Busk's writings reflect her interest in the customs and traditions of the regions she studied, including the folklore of Rome in "Roman Legends: A Collection of the Fables and Folk-Lore of Rome." Through her narratives, she preserved and shared the cultural heritage of these areas, making her a significant figure in the study of folklore.