trademark) Are there any limitations for using a mythical figur

Question:

Help! (copyright/trademark) Are there any limitations for using a mythical figure in future...?

creative works such as books/songs/film? For example, take King Arthur, can I name a future book: "King Arthur and the knights of the Square Table", and not infringe on anyone's trademark/copyright of King Arthur?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: mythological and historic figures are not subject to any copyright laws... although some religious groups might think they got those rights.
you can write about napoleon and the sneaky demons
about Caligula and his benevolent alter ego
about anyone dead, basically. you might raise some controversies, but nobody OWNS those figures. I'd avoid live people because they might sue.

also, avoid characters that were invented by writers and appear in copyrighted books, so dont write about harry potter or james bond... i'm not sure after how long the copyright expires... i think its 70 or 100 years.