Classical Myth

For courses in Classical Mythology in Classics, English, or other departments. Comprehensive and scholarly, this well-designed and class-tested text presents Greek and Roman myths in a lively and easy-to-read manner. 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 students can see how mythology has influenced the world and how it continues to influence society today.Preface Part I Definitions and Background 1. The Nature of Myth 2. The Cultural Context of Classical Myth 3. The Development of Classical Myth Part II Divine Myth 4. Myths of Creation I: The Rise of Zeus 5. Myths of Creation II: The Origins of Mortals 6. Myths of Zeus, His Wife Hera, and His Brothers Poseidon and Hades 7. Myths of the Great God Apollo 8. Myths of Hermes, Pan, Hephaestus, and Ares 9. Myths of the Female Deities Aphrodite, Artemis, and Athena 10. Myths of Fertility I: Demeter and Related Myths 11. Myths of Fertility II: Dionysus 12. Myths of Death: Encounters with the Underworld Part III Legends 13. Introduction to Heroic Myth: The Mesopotamian Legend of Gilgamesh 14. Perseus and Myths of the Argive Plain 15. Heracles 16. Theseus and the Myths of Athens 17. The Myths of Crete 18. Oedipus and the Myths of Thebes 19. Jason and the Myths of Iolcus and Calydon 20. The Trojan War 21. The Fall of Troy and Its Aftermath 22. The Return of Odysseus Part IV Roman Myth 23. Legends of Aeneas 24. Legends of Early Rome Part V Interpretation 25. Theories of Myth Interpretation Reference Charts Chronology of the Ancient World The Greek and Roman Pantheon Credits Index and Pronunciation Glossary