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Surveys classical mythology, discussing the relationship between Greek and Roman myths, and describes the birth and life of the demigod Hercules, known as Heracles in Greek mythology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superb book
This is a fairly large book filled with pictures of the gods and heroes of antiquity.It is an excellent introduction to the myths and very entertaining as well.You will find that before you wish, you will be at it's end.And by that time, you will know most of the basics.I have no real complaints.It would have been an exquisite book if the photos were all in color, but you can get this book for but a few dollars.No complaints. ... Read more

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Odysseus is one of the greatest heroes of Greek culture. Known for his cunning and intelligence, he was instrumental in helping the Greeks emerge victorious in the Trojan War. But it was his adventures after the ten-year war ended that inspired Homer to immortalize him in The Odyssey. The ancient Greeks felt a special kinship with Odysseus. While they admired physical prowess and respected courage and determination, they revered cunning and intelligence above all. Find out how Odysseus uses his brains and his brawn to fight a flesh-eating Cyclops; ignore the Sirens, who lured sailors to their deaths; and outmaneuver deadly rocks that crushed ships trying to pass through them. Then see how he regains mastery in his kingdom when he returns to Ithaca and his queen, who has waited for him patiently for twenty years. ... Read more

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THE religions of ancient Greece and Rome are extinct. The so-called divinities of Olympus have not a single worshipper among living men. They belong now not to the department of theology, but to those of literature and taste. There they still hold their place, and will continue to hold it, for they are too closely connected with the finest productions of poetry and art, both ancient and modern, to pass into oblivion. ... Read more

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A wonderfully rich and varied collection of fifteen stories from Roman mythology, retold for today's young readers. Here are all the famous myths from the birth of Venus, to the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus. The great gods and goddesses, including Jupiter, Mars and Diana, are brought vividly to life by Emma Chichester Clark's beautiful illustrations that perfectly reflect the liveliness of Geraldine McCaughrean's gripping retellings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interim judgement...
This is an interim review because the book is a birthday present for my grandson who will be 9 shortly and has just become interested in Greek and Roman myths.The publishers say that it is for the reading bracket 9-12 years.I hope so because my grandson is rather ahead of his age group.We'll see how he gets on with it after his birthday. ... Read more

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Along with the Bible, classical mythology forms the bedrock of Western culture. With the tales of Ancient Greece and Rome being as entertaining today as they were over 2000 years ago, this collection makes for an informative reference. From Abaris to Zeus, more than 1400 entries provide thorough coverage of both well-known and obscure gods and godessess, heroes and monsters, legendary beasts and fantastic places. Also included is astronomical data, linking myths and legends to the constellations named after them, a chronology of Ancient Greece and Rome and a list of Roman emperors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Easy to use and loaded with information!
This book is laided out extremely well, just look for the name of a person, place, or things in Greek or Roman legend and it's there. It even gives exact locations of the constelations in the myths lke Orion and Scorpio. I would recomend this book to anyone!

Damn this was good
This was the best book ever on mythology, being that I am an ignorant young person!

Damn this was good
This was the best book ever on mythology, being that I am an ignorant young person!

What is ENCYCLOPEDIA ?
This is a useful book only for young students and ignorant people on classical mythology. I was deeply disappointed when I received this book, since I expected a comprehensive encyclopedia about Greek & Roman myths.However the book does not contain Greek alphabet spelling of any Greekproper noun , any source of each item/entry and even genealogical trees . Who can name such anelementay book "Encyclopedia of Greco-RomanMythology" on earth ? I wonder for whom this book was written ?If itwas written for children , the author should have insertedpictures orillustrations. And if it was written for common readers , the author shouldhave surpassed at least Michael Grant's "Who's Who in ClassicalMythology" . Only one thing that some place-names are included is thegood characteristics of the book. Anyway I did not buy it , if I knew thepoverty of its contents.

What is ENCYCLOPEDIA ?
This is a useful book only for young students and ignorant people on classical mythology. I was deeply disappointed when I received this book,since I expected a comprehensive encyclopedia about Greek & Romanmyths .However the book does not contain Greek alphabet spelling of anyGreek proper noun , any source of each item/entry and even genealogicaltrees .Who can name such anelementay book "Encyclopedia ofGreco-Roman Mythology" on earth ? I wonder for whom this book waswritten ?If it was written for children , the author should have inserted pictures or illustrations. And if it was written for common readers , theauthor should have surpassed at least Michael Grant's "Who's Who inClassical Mythology" . Only one thing that some place-names areincluded is the good characteristics of the book. Anyway I did not buy it ,if I knew the poverty of its contents. ... Read more

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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
Achilles was a powerful Greek warrior and hero famed for his swift-footedness. His mother, the sea goddess Thetis, tried to make him immortal, but one spot his heel was vulnerable. His role in the Trojan War was the center of Homer s The Iliad in fact, it was prophesied that the Greeks couldn t win the war without him. Once he arrived, however, his wrath began to take over. This brave and confident warrior let pride and a hot temper get in his way, and it led to tragedy. Read how the great hero had great decisions to make, and how his anger often blinded him from wiser choices. ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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The life of Hephaestus, god of fire, abounded with intrigue, mystery, and excitement. Who was Hephaestus father? Why does Hera refuse to reveal his name? Why doesn t Hephaestus reveal the recipient of his special gift, the bronze net? Hephaestus life as portrayed in Greek and Roman myths was filled with rejection and deception. Yet this god did not let the negative experiences of life stop him from seeking love and companionship. Hephaestus is shown as a god of pride, hope, and compassion. Though he sometimes struggles to make the right decision, he manages, like most of us, to find the right answer within himself. ... Read more

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The ancient Greeks worshiped a complex group of deities, weaving their characters into timeless tales of love, heroism, and intrigue. Plays, poems, paintings, and sculptures commemorating these tales have survived for centuries. Even as world religions and scientific knowledge have evolved, bringing with them new beliefs and understanding of the world, the ancient Greek tales continue to provide a basic foundation for Western thought and sharp insight to the human psyche. In the story of Perseus, the hero, rejected and feared by his grandfather, is cast into the sea with his mother to die. Fortunately for Perseus, fate has other plans for them. Perseus kills a gorgon, a giant, and an angry sea monster; marries a beautiful princess; turns a crowd to stone; and saves his mother from a vengeful king. His destiny takes him back to his birthplace in search of his grandfather. Only then does he finally fulfill his fate and live happily ever after. ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: Allyn and Bacon in 1889 in 64 pages; Subjects: Mythology, Classical; Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Science / Folklore ... Read more

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This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Preface, Acknowledgements; Pronunciation Guide; Dictionary; Bibliography of Sources ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Handy Reference
A Comprehensive Dictionary of Gods, Goddesses, Demigods, and Other Subjects in Greek and Roman Mythology by Andrew S. Glick (Mellen Studies in Mythology, V. 1: Edwin Mellen Press) A first place to seek identification of characters and places from Greek and Roman Mythology. Glick has produced a monograph which, in time, will be found on the shelf of every serious classicist. In no greater length than a legal brief, he has systematically displayed the entire spectrum of gods and goddesses who made up the mythology of early western history.
The word `ancient' must be used in a way at allude to that repository of story of the ancient world. So much of the primal tradition remains fully alive today in names and classical allusions. The legends and fables remain essential in the background tapestry of the western letters.
Glick has positioned every entry, Greek and Roman alike, within its mythological heritage. Each is also sited in the more familiar terrain of its actual historical location, Athens or Rome. Whether person, place or thing, each element in the lïng roll call is still recognized, centuries later. A few examples should be cited: AJAX, AMAZON, APOLLO, ATLAS, CUPID, CYCLOPS, DORIC, ECHO, EUROPA, FÁTÅ, FLORA, FORUNA, HADES, HERCULES, IDEA, JUPITER, LABYRINTH, MARS, MERCURY, MORPHEUS, MYSTIC, MYTH, NARCISSUS, NEPTUNE, NYMPH, OCEANUS, ODYSSEY, OLYMPIAN, ORACLE, PALLADIUM, PANDORA, PARTHENON, PAX, PLUTO, POSEIDON, PSYCHE, SATURN, SIREN SOL, TITAN, TITANIC TRITON, TROJAN, VENUS, VULCAN, ZEPHYR.
Bulfinch's Mythology, published in 1855, is found in every reference library - illustrated, indexed, annotated all 800 pages. Yet, the immense classic is seldom seen in a private home. Just here, the Gléck edition can fill a vital role. Slim as a primer, and crisply written, its 140 pages contain all the insights into our Greek and Roman mythological heritage that any previous publication has offered. It belongs on the desk of the general reader and as a ready resource for all those who read the classics.
... Read more