Synopses & Reviews
Featuring the authors' extensive, clear, and faithful translations of original sources,
Classical Mythology, retells the myths and legends of Greece and Rome in a lucid and engaging style. Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, it incorporates a dynamic combination of poetic narratives and enlightening commentary to make classical myths come alive for students. The discussion covers comparative and interpretative approaches as well as evidence from art and archaeology. The authors also examine the enduring survival of classical mythology in the fields of art, literature, music, dance, and film.
Classical Mythology, enables students to explore the fascinating nature of Greek and Roman gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines and to appreciate the most significant ancient sources of classical legends and myths. The text is beautifully enhanced by 180 illustrations, in both color and black and white.
Classical Mythology features:
- More extensive translations of works by the ancient authors: Selections by Greek authors include all thirty-three Homeric Hymns; the important passages in Hesiod's Theogony and Works and Days; and excerpts from Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Herodotus, Plato, Lucian, Pindar, the Pre-Socratic philosophers, and the Lyric poets. Works by Latin authors including Ovid, Vergil, Statius, Manilius, and Seneca are also provided.
- An expanded art program: Sixty-six new illustrations--selected from both the ancient and the modern world--appear throughout the text and are accompanied by substantial and informative captions. Three new maps are also included.
- Text boxes incorporated for the first time explore a variety of new topics and highlight interpretative approaches.
- A selected bibliography is included for each chapter.
- More explanatory material is integrated throughout, including a "Glossary of Mythological Words and Phrases in English."
- Companion website: classicalmythology.org includes chapter-by-chapter summaries, suggested activities, maps, practice test questions, and PowerPoint lecture slides. The website has been revised to enhance the multifaceted subjects treated in the text and to provide links to numerous helpful resources.
Synopsis
Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions,
Classical Mythology, 6/e examines the literary tradition of Greek and Roman mythology through extensive translations of original mythological sources. This comprehensive and accessible introduction to classical mythology incorporates a dynamic combination of poetic narratives and enlightening commentary to make classical myths come alive for students. The authors' insightful discussions of classical myths in their historical and cultural settings--as well as their survival in literature, art, music, and film--remain unparalleled.
The sixth edition of Classical Mythology features a host of pedagogical aids, including:
The authors' helpful student study guide, A Companion to Classical Mythology
A companion website: http://www.oup-usa.org/sc/0195143388 featuring chapter summaries, short quizzes, maps, additional original translations, links to Perseus and other mythology websites, practice tests, and more!
Many new translations and a new appendix to Chapter 8 that includes most of Euripides' Hippolytus
Expanded coverage of comparative and interpretative approaches as well as evidence from art and archaeology
Copious illustrations--maps, genealogy charts, and reproductions of paintings and sculpture from 750 B.C. to the present--including 22 color plates
Extended critical coverage
Quick-Reference Glossary/Index to help students quickly identify names, places, and events
Synopsis
Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, Classical Mythology, 6/e examines the literary tradition of Greek and Roman mythology through extensive translations of original mythological sources. This comprehensive and accessible introduction to classical mythology incorporates a dynamic combination of poetic narratives and enlightening commentary to make classical myths come alive for students. The authors' insightful discussions of classical myths in their historical and cultural settings--as well as their survival in literature, art, music, and film--remain unparalleled.
The sixth edition of Classical Mythology features a host of pedagogical aids, including:
DT The authors' helpful student study guide, A Companion to Classical Mythology
DT A companion website: http://www.oup-usa.org/sc/0195143388 featuring chapter summaries, short quizzes, maps, additional original translations, links to Perseus and other mythology websites, practice tests, and more!
DT Many new translations and a new appendix to Chapter 8 that includes most of Euripides' Hippolytus
DT Expanded coverage of comparative and interpretative approaches as well as evidence from art and archaeology
DT Copious illustrations--maps, genealogy charts, and reproductions of paintings and sculpture from 750 B.C. to the present--including 22 color plates
DT Extended critical coverage
DT Quick-Reference Glossary/Index to help students quickly identify names, places, and events
Table of Contents
Illustrations and Works of Art
Preface
Introduction
PART ONE: THE MYTHS OF CREATION: THE GODS
1. Myths of Creation
2. Zeus' Rise to Power: The Creation of Mortals
3. The Twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, and Their Children
4. Anthropomorphism and Greek Humanism
5. Poseidon Sea Deities, Group Divinities, and Monsters
6. Athena
7. Aphrodite and Eros
8. Artemis
Appendix to Chapter 8: Euripides, Hippolytus
9. Apollo
Appendix to Chapter 9: The Homeric Hymn to Apollo
10. Hermes
11. Dionysus, Pan, Echo, and Narcissus
12. Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries
13. Views of the Afterlife: The Realm of Hades
14. Orpheus and Orphism: Mystery Religions in Roman Times
PART TWO: THE GREEK SAGAS: GREEK LOCAL LEGENDS
15. The Theban Saga
16. The Mycenaean Saga
Appendix to Chapter 16: The Three Electras
17. The Trojan Saga and the Iliad
18. The Returns and the Odyssey
19. Perseus and the Legends of Argos
20. Heracles
21. Theseus and the Legends of Attica
22. Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts
23. Myths of Local Heroes and Heroines
PART THREE: THE SURVIVAL OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
24. The Nature of Roman Mythology
25. The Survival of Classical Mythology in Literature and Art
26. Classical Mythology in Music and Film
Notes
Select Bibliography
The Greek Spelling of Names
Indexes I-1
A. Index of Authors, Artists, Composers, and Titles
B. Glossary/Index of Mythological and Historical Persons, Places, and Subjects