Product Description
The Greek hero Theseus is determined to slay the Minotaur, but he worries he will get lost in the Labyrinth that houses the beast. The wise princess Ariadne then offers Theseus a ball of yarn and tells him to unwind it as he walks into the Labryrinth so he can follow it back out. Ariadne's simple gift gives Theseus the assurance he needs, and he is able to slay the Minotaur and find the door to freedom. Panorama: An Introduction to Classical Mythology was designed to be an Ariadne thread. The subject of classical mythology is complicated, with names that can twist the tonuge and details that can leave any reader feeling lost. Panorama's clear writing, clean structure, and engaging design allows students and general interest readers to enter into the complicated subject without being overwhelmed. And its interdisciplinary approach encourages readers to explore the incredible connections mythology shares with literature, vocabulary, history, science, and the arts. This book belongs in a student's backpack, on a homeschooler's shelf, or on the lap of any interested reader. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

We Love this book!
We love this book!My husband, two children(ages 8 and 10)and I have all enjoyed reading Panorama.We use it to look up gods and goddesses that we encounter in the Percy Jackson series (another favorite) and have gotten lost in its beautiful pages to learn So much more.You get complete, well told stories of all the major classical myths, but this author gives you connections to present everyday things which is what makes it "stikky" for my children and my students.We all remember things better when we can relate them to ourselves.Read it cover to cover, shelve it with your reference books or keep it on the coffee table.Everyone knows a little about mythology but you'll be amazed by how much the Greeks and Romans have shaped our world!

If you are looking for a smart, complete, and engaging book of mythology, this one beats all others! ... Read more

Product Description
Using Greek and Roman primary sources, this workbook for the twenty-first century offers middle- and high-school aged students in Classics, English and Language Arts classes a fresh retelling of timeless tales from Hesiod, Homer, Ovid and other authors. A wide variety of exercises, reflections, and vocabulary enrichment tasks accompany each myth. Students preparing for the ACL Medusa Myth Exam and the ACL National Mythology Exam will find in this an indispensable tool. Creation myths, stories of the Olympians and Titans, legends of the Trojan War cycle, love stories and tales of transformation are all included here. A teacher resource section provides historical, archaeological, artistic and psychological background, ideas for further research and exploration, as well as hands-on class activities. Special Features -based on primary Latin and Greek sources -a fresh retelling of the timeless tales from Classical Mythology -contains content exercises -English vocabulary words that are based on the myths are explained and accompanied by exercises -reflections upon the enduring quality of the myths are included There is currently no workbook on classical mythology and no book for pre-collegiate students that is based on primary sources.

Also available:

The Hero and the Sea: Patterns of Chaos in Ancient Myth - ISBN 0865165084
A Short Guide to Classical Mythology - ISBN 086516309X

For over 30 years Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers has produced the highest quality Latin and ancient Greek books. From Dr. Seuss books in Latin to Plato's Apology, Bolchazy-Carducci's titles help readers learn about ancient Rome and Greece; the Latin and ancient Greek languages are alive and well with titles like Cicero's De Amicitia and Kaegi's Greek Grammar. We also feature a line of contemporary eastern European and WWII books.

Some of the areas we publish in include:

Selections From The Aeneid
Latin Grammar & Pronunciation
Greek Grammar & Pronunciation
Texts Supporting Wheelock's Latin
Classical author workbooks: Vergil, Ovid, Horace, Catullus, Cicero
Vocabulary Cards For AP Selections: Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace
Greek Mythology
Greek Lexicon
Slovak Culture And History ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Outstanding introduction to classical mythology
The book contains enough on the major myths of the Greeks and Romans, including those surrounding the founding of Rome, to fill a semester-long high school class. It neither condescends to the reader nor attempts a dry, academic tone. The review exercises are comprehensive without being overdone. Finally, the more creative exercises at the end of the chapters open out into related themes (eg. in a chapter on Aeneas, one exercise has students comparing the invocations of muses in the Homeric poems with that of the Aeneid.To these I added invocations from Milton("Paradise Lost") and Pope ("The Rape of the Lock")). ... Read more

Product Description
The most complete collection of Greek and Roman myths specially arranged to be read aloud to children aged five to twelve. "Every child deserves this book. Those who do the reading aloud will be enlightened and rewarded, too."--Edwin Newman Line drawings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Excellent read!
Our 8 year old daughter delights in these read aloud tales and I love how each story is structured. Each myth has three parts; 1. "About the story" which gives you a brief summary and then a list of the characters and help for pronouncing names. This part also lets you know how long the story will take to read aloud which is quite helpful when "Oh pleeeese, just one more!" arrives. 2. "The Myth" - these just roll off the tongue and are so enjoyable and easy to read. Having just read Tom Sawyer aloud, this was just a pleasure. 3. "A few more words" At the end of each myth there's a brief section which talks about the history of certain words used in the story and how they have evolved to current usage. We always read this section and either have an "Aha!" moment or marvel at how interesting it is. We are about half way through and are LOVING this book. It's like a warm glass of milk before bed...

Great Gift
I gave this book as a gift to a family that reads books aloud every night. The children are ages 8 and 10. The parents are educators. The family went through the book in 2 weeks and the parents have reported the book is "fantastic" The 8 year old has been retelling the myths to me daily!I highly recommend this book.

A book for grandparents and grandchildren
This is a marvelous book! I wanted my granddaughters to learn Greek and Roman myths since there are so many references to the stories and the characters in day-to-day media. If they knew more about the tales, I thought they could appreciate the references to them.

I first looked at the book to find out if the girls would like it and get anything out of it. As it turned out, I read it from cover to cover, and couldn't put it down. I had never had school or college classes in these subjects and I was mesmerized.

The plots are summarized at the beginning, which makes the stories easier to understand for people who have no knowledge at all of them. Also at the beginning of each myth is the amount of time it will take to read it -- making bedtime story reading more predictable. And, there is also a pronunciation guide for the names and some of the words, with brief explanations or definitions.

The stories themselves are fascinating, easy to read aloud, print on the pages is clear and not too small, and chapters are of reasonable length to tell a tale and maintain interest. After the end of each, there are short descriptions of words we use in modern times which originated from these myths and the language and culture of ancient times. These can be eye-openers, and have given my granddaughters and I opportunities for many discussions!

This was planned as a learning book. And, it's been a great teacher -- for the reader as well as the listeners!

Classics for kids and parents alike
I have a 4 and 7 yr. old.The stories are above the 4 yr. old's head (though he does play mostly quietly and seem to somewhat listen, which can't be bad...I'd probably be surprised at how much he is learning from his seeming inattentiveness), but have been WONDERFUL for reading to my 7 yr. old.We started out with some other Mythology books from the library (including The McElderry Book of Greek Myths, which I highly reccomend for the illustrations), and we had also just been listening on a car trip to "The Story of the World: History For the Classical Child Volume 1" on CD (also highly reccomend...not as boring as it may sound) which on discs 3 & 4 recounted some Greek history and stories, at an age appropriate level.This was a wonderful precurser to our nightly readings from this book.That said, I am homeschooling my son, and all that is not necessary to enjoy this book on its own as simply some great stories to read.The stories are easier to get through than even some illustrated versions, as they are well written and broken into managably short chunks. My son looks forward to the stories, and is always begging me to read one more.At the beginning of each story, context is given, approximate reading times (most about 10 minutes), helpful pronunciation guides (that also remind you who the primary characters in the story are), and then at the end of each story "A few words more" that tells about words and idioms in our language that came from something related to the story (my son loves the connections he discovers...a great way to begin an awareness of roots of words.) Children can understand and relate to the emotion that is portrayed in the stories, while picking up new vocabulary and elegant speech painlessly from the context.This book does an excellent job of presenting the stories in a compelling, easy to understand, but not dumbed-down manner, that maintains the richness of the stories and enhances them with added context.I found the author's ability to illuminate the human emotion in the stories, highlighted when I read his version of Pygmalion and Galatea, which we had read other versions of.In other versions, Pygmalion came across far-fetched in his love for his statue creation, a seemingly silly fable, but in this version you feel the depths of Pygmalion's emotions, and come away feeling that there is much in the common human condition expressed in this story... the themes are brought out and the story becomes more meaningful.
This is a book I plan to purchase, as it is not one we will outgrow and likely return to and enjoy often.We are on our third time checking it out from the library...and I really don't want to give it back.There are many books I love, that I am just fine borrowing from the library, but this one I really feel is worth the investment to have around as a staple in our home.

Wonderful family reading
I purchased this book for our family to read together.The stories are interesting and not too time consuming.The commentary at the end of the stories are informative, along with the definitions in the beginning of the story.I can't say enough positive things about how this book is organized and written.It has gotten by 7 and 9 year old daughters VERY interested in mythology.I also learn something from every story! ... Read more

Product Description
Daring in concept and astonishing in scope, The Oxford Guide to Classical Mythology in the Arts is a unique reference work: a topically classified chronology of more than 30,000 artworks from circa 1300 to the present day that take as their theme the subjects of Greek and Roman mythology.In more than three hundred major entries, alphabetically arranged by subject, artworks are listed in chronological order, delineating the history of artistic interest in the subject, including painting, sculpture, music, dance, opera, drama, and literature over the last seven centuries.By bringing together information heretofore segregated by discipline, time period, or other constraint, Jane Davidson Reid has created an invaluable tool for the study of the history of the arts in the Western world.

Ranging from Achilles to Zeus, entries cover all the important mythic beings of the classical world, from gods, goddesses, and heroes to nymphs, shepherds, and satyrs.A headnote to each entry identifies the subject, briefly describes relevant events and episodes recounted in Greek and Roman myths, and explains thematic cross-currents represented in the list of artworks that follows. A list of classical literary sources follows the headnote. Each listing of an artwork includes the artist's name, the title of the work, and the date of its creation, publication, or first performance, as appropriate.Also noted are the medium or genre of the work, the present location of works in the fine arts, and other pertinent information.Sources of data on each artwork appear in each listing.

Enhanced by a comprehensive system of cross-references, a complete list of the sources of data cited in the listings, and an extensive artist index, which will enable readers to locate works by a given artist across numerous entries, this work presents its vast body of data in a way that is easily accessible to specialist and nonspecialist alike.No other work equals its interdisciplinary scope; no other work matches its usefulness to historians of the arts; and no other work possesses its appeal to scholars, students, and general readers interested in classical mythology and its enduring popularity in Western traditions of artistic expression. ... Read more

Product Description
From Atalanta and Medusa to Helen and Scylla, thislyrical collection of more than 60 stories provides a rich resourcefor teachers, storytellers, students grades 5 and up, and anyoneinterested in classical mythology. Organized thematically, the storiesentertain and enlighten while exploring topics such as creation;pride, beauty, and jealousy; courage and independence; lovers and thebeloved; wives and mothers; and supernatural powers. A delightfulresource for the mythology lover in each of us! ... Read more

Product Description
The birth of Aphrodite, the Trojan Horse, Zeus disguised as a swan. These and other classical myths and legends are usually encountered separately, but together they make up a coherent, multigenerational saga of epic battles, bizarre metamorphoses, immortal heroes, and all-too-human gods--a fantastic world recognizably real to its audience. Classical Mythology offers newcomers and long-time enthusiasts new ways to navigate the world of Greek and Roman myths, beginning by exploring the landscapes where the myths are set. It then provides a richly detailed timeline of mythic episodes from the origin of the cosmos to the end of the Heroic Age--plus an illustrated mythological dictionary listing significant characters, places, events, objects, and concepts. Whether you wish to explore the world that gave rise to ancient mythology or research a specific piece of the whole, this handbook is the best introduction available to an extraordinary cast of characters (gods, nymphs, satyrs, monsters, heroes) and the natural and supernatural stages upon which their fates are played out. Features DT A detailed timeline serves as a convenient "episode guide" chronicling events described in classical mythology DT A comprehensive A-Z section offers a quick way to identify the gods, mortals, events, and objects that are key to specific myths and legends ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Classical Mythology
This well-done book on classical mythology is a great read and well worth the price.Comparable topic books can easily run four times the amount.It's worth every cent.

False Promises lead to great disappointment.
There are good and bad things to say about William Hansen's Classical Mythology: A Guide to the Mythical World of the Greeks and Romans.

Let me start with the many good things: 1) It's approach, by classifying myths and folktales into specific patterns, is educative and interesting.2) It is well-written and comprehensive.3) Most of the information inside is accurate.4) It is easy and enjoyable to read.5) Most importantly, in my opinion, it corrects four of the common mistakes found in many books on Classical Mythology - Gaia was not the daughter of Khaos in Hesiod, but the second being born from creation; Khaos was not chaotic (as in English), but open space or air; Apollon (yes Apollon) was not a sun god originally, though he later might have been worshipped as such.The sun god is Helios; and Artemis was never worshipped as a moon goddess. This honor belongs to Helios' sister, Selene.

Unfortunately, the good points about this book do not outweigh my major complaint. This might not be Hansen's fault, actually.The back cover states clearly under "Features" that the book contains "A detailed timeline [which] serves as a convenient 'episode guide' chronicling events described in classical mythology." I have read the book and then flipped through it page by page, just in case, to find said "timeline" with absolutley NO luck.It is not there (at least not in my copy). As I am a student of myth, I have already read all of the stories and myths. I actually purchased this book BECAUSE of the promised timeline. So, in the end, money I spent for a timeline yielded nothing.

Another issue I had is with a few instances of incorrect information.The book presents itself as educative. As a college instructor and avid reader, I have encountered many errors in recounting myths in my time.When an educative book contains an error I cannot help but to feel frustrated because I know that this will just perpetuate the error. I only have two complaints about this.1) Hansen seems to not realise that Okeanos (Ocean) was a fresh-water deity, we misuse the term.He refers to the daughters of Okeanos, the Okeanids, as sea nymphs.2) More importantly, I believe for the sake of myth in his section on the Titans is very inaccurate. Hansen seems to claim that all of the Titans fought against the Olympians during the great war between the two.However, neither the female Titans (or Titanides) nor Okeonos was involved.He even uses Themis as an example of a Titan who does not match the Olympian prowess . . . but the point is moot since she did not fight them anyway.In fact, Themis was Zeus' second wife and by her he fathered the Horae (Season.) Themis actually was said to live with the Olympians as she represented divine order.He also fathered the Muses by Mnemosyne.The other Titanides (his mother Rheia, Theia, Phoibe, and Tethys) were never said to participate in the war.Okeonos likewise did not, and, in fact, Zeus rewarded him for not taking up the Titans cause.Hansen also claims that Zeus punished the Titans forever in Tartaros, but Zeus actually was said to have allowed at least Kronos freedom as Kronos rules over the Isle of the Blessed.

For those who do not care about the timeline I mention, this book might have more stars.But, this was the sole reason for which I purchased the book.So, I can only give the book 3 stars.It gets 3, as opposed to 2, because I was so happy to read Hansen say that Gaia was the second being after creation and not, as often mistaken, the child of Khaos. ... Read more

Product Description
Classical Mythology: Images and Insights grew out of the authors’ many years of teaching Greek and Roman myth to undergraduates at California State University, Sacramento. Unique among textbooks on this topic, our book approaches the study of myth through complete works of Greco-Roman literature, including six complete Greek dramas and generous excerpts from the narratives of Homer, Hesiod, Virgil, and Ovid, and through carefully-chosen examples of Classical works of art, both painting and sculpture. Combining literary masterpieces with the visual arts, this integrative approach offers readers a comprehensive experience with both cognitive and aesthetic appeal. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Lush and compelling
Used for a university course, this book is surprisingly quick to read and highly compelling.Greek myth is discussed and explained in vivid detail, while exploring beyond the confines of Greek myth, and looking to the origins of certain characters, comparisons in Egyptian, Sumerian, and Babylonian myth, as well as the potential origins of characters based upon their names, and the relations with the particular pronounciation with an Indo-European and proto-Indo-European language equivalent.The Zeus figure is shown to be a shared archetype in the mythologies of peoples as far north as the Sarmatians and as far east as the Indians.


In sections, the text tells the stories of the myth told by certain playwrights, authors, and poets, along with providing fragments, or full texts of the plays and works in question at the end of the sections/chapters regarding them.You basically don't need to even read the works themselves, but they're there in fully readable translations.


Of my complaints, I have two, neither of them particularly important.


For one, the index is poorly done.It's incredibly difficult to find specific things in this 1000+ page book based off of the index alone.


For two, the pronounciations.I shouldn't expect a strict adherence to Graeco-Roman style pronunciation (Ah-rays for "Ares", He-fai-stoos for "Hephaestus"), but the pronounciations given are atrociously wrong, even with regards to Anglicized pronounciations.Hippolytus, for example, is given to pronounce as "Hip-PAHL-ih-tus", which is a needless struggle for the tongue compared to "Hip-poh-lai-tus", which is also much closer to the true pronounciation.

Others include "dee-ya-nye-ra" for Deianeira, "uh-thee-nuh" for Athene (which is spelled in every instance as "Athene" and not "Athena"), and then suddenly putting the pronounciation for Uranus as "OOR-a-nuhs" which IS the right pronounciation in Latin/Greek.Obviously they weren't looking to have the pronouncation stretch out "Yur-ay-nus"

It was just as the doctor ordered!
I had no issues with this order. It came in plenty of time before summer school started.

School Book
Most of the reading was very fun and informative. Some parts were a little dry.

a myth
The book itself is great.It goes into a lot of the meaning behind the myths.The binding of the book came apart after about 6 weeks.This book was used in a college class and all of the books came apart.The text itself rates 5 stars.

awesome and fast.........
I received the book very very fast. It was super cheap saved well over 50 dollars. I would do bussiness again. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is designed as a companion to the standard undergraduate mythology textbooks or, when assigned alongside the central Greek and Roman works, as a source-based alternative to those textbooks.

In addition to the complete texts of the Homeric Hymns and HesiodÂ’s Theogony, this collection provides generous selections from over 50 texts composed between the Archaic Age and the fourth century a.d. Ancient interpretation of myth is represented here in selections from the allegorists Heraclitus, Cornutus and Fulgentius, the rationalists Palaephatus and Diodorus of Sicily, and the philosophers and historians Plato, Herodotus and Thucydides. Appendices treat evidence from inscriptions, papyri and Linear B tablets and include a thematic index, a mythological dictionary, and genealogies. A thoughtful Introduction supports students working with the primary sources and the other resources offered here; an extensive note to instructors offers suggestions on how to incorporate this book into their courses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Book is perfect for any Greek and Roman mythology class
I needed this book for my Greek and Roman mythology class; it arrived a few days after I started needing it. But the book was in perfect condition, so it was worth the wait. And it is a perfect book for any mythology class. It has many translated myths so they are easier to read and interpret but you do not lose the story. They come from many different authors so you're not just getting one person's viewpoint since myths are interpreted many different ways. It was an amazing book to get!

Scholastic Work Well Done
As a former pastor who studied the ancient Greek language, and as a teacher of ancient civilizations, I found this to be an excellent resource from a scholastic point of view.People simply interested in finding Greek myths and reading them as readily as we find a book in the library will be sorely disappointed with this book.But if you understand the literary process by which the myths are collected, then this becomes an indispensable addition to your library.Organizationally this was very well thought out and adeptly executed in presentation.This is a job well done!

An Excellent Book On The Greek Myths
Bullfinch is O.K., but, while it's good, it only gives
passing reference to many of the Greek myths, e.g. Theseus,
the most revered myth of ancient Athens.The various books
from my local library and Amazon all had similar weaknesses,
some too simple as stories for very young folks or not
detailed enough in terms of the stories' origins.I wanted
a definitive text and took a chance on this book.I was not
disappointed.

Just reading about the Linear B in the Preface is worth 10
times its price.From Zeus's violent coup to Sinon's
convincing the skeptical Trojans the horse was a gift of the
gods, the book presents the myths from the original sources
with their original magic and power.I'm not an expert but
the translations appear to be excellent.The detailed index
organizes the different traditions for each story and
character.

This book makes clear why the Greek myths have captivated
generations.

Greek Myth
Good compendium.Open translation without bias.great for open disscusion in a classroom setting.

excellent book for informed sampling of classical Greek/Roman myths
Here is an outstanding compilation of samples from ancient Greek and Roman myths.Samples a wide range of well known, and lesser known myths from the ancient Greeks and Romans.Intro's are given to the myth's author, time and related issues in brief.

A very helpful resource for students of ancient history, mythology or even the new testament, since the new testament was written in an environment wherein many were steeped in these very sorts of tales either orally or in writ. ... Read more

Product Description

Handbook of Classical Mythology offers newcomers and long-time enthusiasts new ways to navigate the world of Greek and Roman myths. Written by a foremost mythologist, the book begins by exploring the sources and landscapes from which the myths emerged. It then provides a richly detailed timeline of mythic episodes from the creation of the cosmos to the end of the Heroic Age—plus an illustrated mythological dictionary listing every significant character, place, event, and object.

Whether exploring the world that gave rise to ancient mythology or researching a specific piece of the whole, the handbook is the best introduction available to the extraordinary cast of these tales (gods, nymphs, satyrs, monsters, heroes) and the natural and supernatural stages upon which their fates are played out.

Product Description

Comprehensive and scholarly, this well-designed text presents Greek and Roman myths in a lively and easy-to-read manner.  The material has been rearranged to make it easier to find and the new edition has been streamlined.   It features fresh translations, numerous illustrations (ancient and modern) of classical myths and legends, and commentary that emphasizes the anthropological, historical, religious, sociological, and economic contexts in which the myths were told.  It also provides a cultural context so that readers can see how mythology has influenced the world and how it continues to influence society today.  

Customer Reviews (13)

Oh! Gods!
This is a highly readable & comprehensive survey of Greek & Roman myths. It is intended as a college textbook but it a very enjoyable guide for anyone who is interested in the mythic stories. This is particularly true for those of us who have grown up on the the popular culture version of the ancient stories.

routytooty
the product was in the condition it said it was going to be.it got here when i needed it.

Classical Myth, Fourth Edition
Excellent text. Covers the classical gods and heros, primarily of the Greeks, with a appreciable amount of depth and scope. The text also includes a rather large quantity of primary source information, great for a more complete view of the myth. A little pricey for what is essentially a paperback book due to several sections of colored pictures. On the upside, they are nice pictures.

No longer useful
I have taught mythology at the university level at various insitutions for the more than a decade now.Indeed, when I first began was when the first edition of Powell came out.At that time it was quite useful as his prose is modestly engaging, and the large swathes of original material and the occasional illustrations he includes is quite useful.

However, as he has progressed through four editions and doubled his price (!), he has become less useful.To his credit, the online materials are good for the novice, and, as I previously mentioned, there is a fair amount of translated primary text.However, his deficits now outweigh his benefits.When Powell summarizes plots of texts in the middle of a longer excerpt, often his interpretation of events occludes what actually happens.As he has progressed through various editions, his own ideas are now more confident in his eyes and some of his more controvertial claims which in the first edition were presented as "some scholars believe [historical situation] may have contributed to [textual effect]" are now presented as "[historical situation] caused [textual effect]."As another reader notes, some of his historical contextualizations are either suspect or absent.Lastly, the cost is prohibitive.

Now that I have learned a fifth edition is soon to be out and my students will no longer be able to purchase used copies, I have declined to order his book for this fall and don't foresee returning to him in the future.

Doesnt deal with myths' deeper historical origins
I can only say, not being a classicist, but one who did study under the esteemed Prof. Edward O'Neil of Univ. of Southern California, that I find it curious that this author does not deal much with the theories of migrations (Achaeans, Dorians later) into Greece that explain origins and approximate dates of certain myths. For example the inclusion of chthonic deities/mother earthdeities being early myths of Minoan influences, the patriarchal - sky-god myths relating to Achaeans and their influence by migration on the Greek mainland. I find H.J. Rose better at this for sure, as is O'Neil's work on Library of Apollodorus. Man, Myth and Monument,is also an excellent guide for anyone who wants to follow this fascinating aspect of myth. ... Read more

Product Description
Entertaining and educational, The Everything Classical Mythology Book is a superb introduction to ancient Greek and Roman mythology. For those of us who cannot recount the twelve labours of Hercules, how Odysseus tricked the Trojans, why the phrase "Achilles Heel' was first coined, or how Medusa was slain, this comprehensive volume will provide answers to these and hundreds more enquiries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Greek God Encyclopedia
It makes the mean things the Greek Gods did in their stories seem almost nice and kid friendly. It really is packed full of all the things on Greek Gods

It does the job.
I wanted a book that gave an overview of Greek and Roman mythology. and also provided lists of various gods and their counterparts, i.e., the Greek god is ------ and the counterpart Roman god is ------.

This book gives me what I wanted.

No Pictures
There are no pictures in this book so it's not much fun.The illustrations that are in the book are bad drawings of ancient sculptures.I'm returning it.

HELP!Editors needed!
While this reference is quite basic, it is easy to follow the lineage and obtain a working knowledge of classical mythology from this book.HOWEVER, beware that there are several misprints that will confuse the reader, as well as references in the index to characters that do not appear on the mentioned page.Thus, the book is in dire need of a decent editor.

Decent book for beginners.
This "Everything" guide is a good book for younger readers and those who are only starting to get into mythology.At over 290 pages, it covers the major players and who's who of Roman and Greek mythology (as in Jupiter/Zeus, Venus/Aphrodite, the Trojan War, Odysseus, et al).

However, more serious and 'seasoned' fans and scholars will likely prefer THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY by Kevin Osborn.We're not idiots, of course, but this book is meatier and has more background information on the various gods/goddesses, heroes and stories. At over 350 pages, it is 60 pages thicker than the "Everything" book and has smaller text and less white space.For instance, an entire chapter is devoted to the Trojan War hero Achilles while the "Everything" book only has a few pages, at the most.

Fans who want more than classical mythology will want to explore MYTHOLOGY FOR DUMMIES by Christopher Blackwell.This book also delves into the Arthurian legend, Norse myths, Beowulf, as well as world mythology in general (Chinese, Jewish, Hindu, etc).

These 3 books are all excellent. The choice lies on the readers' level of interests.I would recommend the "Everything" book toyounger readers (middle or high schoolers, for instance) and those who just want the basics on classical mythology. ... Read more

Product Description
A standard illustrated work that covers the gods and heroes of the Classical world, with special emphasis on the influence Classical mythology has had on literature, art and music in the unfolding of western civilization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

glad-to-see-this-back-in-print
I have a very well-worn hardback copy of this book that was the textbook for a community college class that I took back in the 1980's.While my graduate classes in classical mythology at Johns Hopkins used different texts, I always found this one to be the best.I'm so glad to see that it's available once again. ... Read more

Product Description
This study guide complements Classical Mythology, 6/e, reviewing chapters 1-24 of the text and providing practice tests with answers. By isolating this important information, the Companion helps students to quickly and firmly grasp the source material, giving them more time to study the meaning and interpretation of the myths themselves. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Reference for Professors
If you use "Classical Mythology" in your course, this companion will make your life easier.


Classical Mythology by Robert J. Lenardon, Mark P. O. Morford
Classical Mythology, 6th Edition

Companion to Longman's Classical Mythology, fifth edition
Professors and students who use Longman's "Classical Mythology" will surely appreciate this helpful companion guide and resource. ... Read more

Product Description
A Short Guide to Classical Mythology is a concise, user-friendly, quick reference for general readers, students and teachers. Kirkwood's treatment of the characters, settings and stories of ancient mythology emphasizes their importance in Western literature. The entries are ordered alphabetically, vary in length according to their significance and include bold and italic typefaces to draw the reader's attention to important terms and cross references.

Kirkwood's text provides a user-friendly, quick reference guide for teachers, students, and general readers. It is an excellent, interdisciplinary resource beneficial in the study of classics, literature, and history.

Special Features

* Complete reference list with pronunciations
* Variable entry lengths
* Principal stories of classical mythology
* Emphasis on literary importance of Greek myths
* References to English and European literature

Also available:

Classical Mythology & More: A Reader Workbook - ISBN 0865165734
Greek and Latin in English Today - ISBN 0865162417

For over 30 years Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers has produced the highest quality Latin and ancient Greek books. From Dr. Seuss books in Latin to Plato's Apology, Bolchazy-Carducci's titles help readers learn about ancient Rome and Greece; the Latin and ancient Greek languages are alive and well with titles like Cicero's De Amicitia and Kaegi's Greek Grammar. We also feature a line of contemporary eastern European and WWII books.

Some of the areas we publish in include:

Selections From The Aeneid
Latin Grammar & Pronunciation
Greek Grammar & Pronunciation
Texts Supporting Wheelock's Latin
Classical author workbooks: Vergil, Ovid, Horace, Catullus, Cicero
Vocabulary Cards For AP Selections: Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace
Greek Mythology
Greek Lexicon
Slovak Culture And History ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

THE BEST OF ALL GUIDES TO CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY, BAR NONE
This little tiny book, barely over a hundred pages long, is the one single book out of all reference books on classical mythology that I'd recommend over any and all others. I began using it when I got to college in 1959, and I used it heavily through the next ten or fifteen years, when I began teaching literature courses and had to learn the classical texts as I went along, often hardly a step ahead of the students. I use it still, from time to time, but back then, Kirkwood saw me through difficult times, again and again and again. The entries in his book are clear and concise, and the cross-referencing is superb. From this little book, a person can gradually--especially if using it in conjunction with the actual reading of ancient texts--become easily and naturally familiar with the great and seemingly complicated myths underlying Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Kirkwood makes all clear, all accessible, and all useful, and he does it without the least bit of unnecessary simplifying or taking of shortcuts. You get the real stuff and in the real way, all in barely a hundred pages. This little book should be as famous for what IT does as The Elements of Style is for what IT does.

Eric Larsen, Emeritus Professor of English at John Jay College, CUNY, and author of the novels "An American Memory," "I Am Zoe Handke," "The End of the 19th Century," and of the nonfiction "A Nation Gone Blind: America in an Age of Simplification and Deceit."

Great Reference
Kirkwood's "A Short Guide to Classical Mythology" is exactly what it claims to be.Dictionary-like without being dry, the guide is an alphabetical list of people, places, and events in Greco-Roman mythology.Some entries are short, referring the reader to a longer one.The long entries are summaries of important epics or stories.

While the format of the book makes it clearly a reference book instead of an exploration of mythology, this makes it a convenient and quick tool for students or teachers studying Classics, or simply for anyone unfamiliar with Classical Mythology.As seen by the numerous references to more modern authors and poets such as Voltaire and Dante, mythological references are everywhere in literature, and those who may not have been steeped in this tradition in class would find this book extremely helpful.Unlike other mythology books, such as Edith Hamilton's "Mythology" or D'Aulaires' "Book of Greek Myths," this book is truly a "short guide" that does not require the reader to look up a person in the index and then read all the way through a story to find out about them.Already alphabetical, Kirkwood's book gives a short description of the person, and anyone who wishes to read more can go to the story referenced.This book is a great guide for readers with any level of interest in mythology. ... Read more

Product Description
A compendium of ancient mythical figures covering Greek and Roman, Celtic and Norse cultures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Good, but not excellent, and not comprehensive
This is mostly a picture book. It is in dictionary form, with three dictionaries, one each for Classical, Celtic, and Norse myths. Many of the illustrations are lavish and excellent, including oil paintings, museum pieces, and story-book illistrations circa 1900. Other illustrations (about a third) are meritless; evidently drawn to fill up space in the book.

The text covers major entries that could be found in any dictionary of mythology, but falls severely short on minor characters and places. It is also missing several obvious entries: for example 'dwarf' and 'giant' and 'troll' are missing from the Norse dictionary.

The Norse dictionary includes a smattering of characters from Baltic and Finnish (Kallevalla) mythology but it is even more incomplete than the Scandenavian entries.

Everyone must have this!
The Encyclopedia of Mythology, by Arthur Cotterell, is a gorgeous, hardcover book filled with illustrations and text covering Classical, Norse and Celt mythology.Each section opens with full-color, glossy images that outline what you'll be able to find in each section. Every page is just as beautifully illustrated.

The encyclopedia provides a great deal of information on not just the familiar gods and goddesses, but also more obscure ones. It is a terrific educational tool for children and adults. It is also a great book for coffee table discussion.

Writers and artists will also find the encyclopedia to be a wonderful tool for striking the flame beneath the imagination. Most of the artwork to be found within its pages are by artists well-known for their fantasy images. My favorite artist in the book is Alan Lee, whose beautiful paintings are highly regarded by those who enjoy the sword and sorcery, AND the Tolkien realms.

The Encyclopedia of Mythology is a must have for any mythology buff.

This book covers everything that you would want to know!
This encyclopedia is a great book for people who are interested in mythology.It is a great resource book for me. I use it a lot forinformation in some of my classes that deal with mythology.I woulddefinatley recommend this book to anyone interested in learning somewonderful stories of the Classical, Norse, and Celtic mythology!Andthere's a great bonus, the pictures are encredible!

Wow. It doesn't get better than this!!
This is the most amazing reference book I have ever seen. The book itself is a work of art, not mentioning the BEAUTIFUL illustrations and descriptions of the gods, goddesses, heros, legends, monsters, giants, ect. inside! I recomend this book to anyone who is interested in a good book to cuddle with, learn from, or just read in general! This is such a interesting way to learn, and the artwork is magnificent. I, myself, am making a mozaic dedicated to this book. I love it so much. If you just leafed through it you would be caught by it too.

Comprehensive and beautiful!

This handsomely bound work is sure to be
invaluable to anyone interested in European
mythologies. Written by Arthur Cotterell, a
well-respected scholar of mythologies and
ancient civilizations, the degree of detail
is remarkably complete. Entries vary from a
few sentences to over a page, depending upon
the subject. In addition, special feature
spreads provide more detailed examination of
specific mythological themes.

The reference is also a work of beauty. Every
page is copiously illustrated and the heavy-
stock paper is well suited to high-quality
color reproductions. The magnificent artwork,
almost entirely by well-known and respected
artists, is thoroughly cited.

Best of all, this wealth of information is
easily accessible. A thorough index refers
readers to all pages in which a subject name
appears, with main entry pages designated by
bold-face type. The entries themselves offer
effective, yet non-obtrusive, references to
related entries or themes.

This reference is highly recommended for
anyone interested in Classical, Celtic, or
Norse mythologies. Undoubtedly helpful to
scholars, it should also prove fascinating to
casual readers and to all who appreciate fine art.

... Read more

Product Description
Classical Mythology in English Literature brings together a range of English versions of three classical myths, allowing readers for the first time to explore the ways in which they have been reinterpreted and reinvented by writers throughout history.

Beginning with a concise introduction to the principal Greco-Roman gods and heroes, the anthology then focuses on three stories: Orpheus, the great musician and his quest to free his wife Eurydice from death; Venus and Adonis, the love goddess and the beautiful youth she loved; and Pygmalion, the master sculptor who fell in love with his creation. Each section begins with the classical sources and ends with contemporary versions, showing how each myth has been used/abused or appropriated since its origins. ... Read more

Product Description

Who's Who in Classical Mythology is a comprehensive dictionary of classical names that contains more than 1,200 entries detailing the origins of Greek and Roman mythological themes. This excellent compilation is a valuable resource for students studying the classics, and for anyone interested in mythology and classical history.