Handbook of Classical Mythology

Front Cover
ABC-CLIO, Jun 10, 2004 - Literary Criticism - 394 pages

An introduction to the mythological world of the Greeks and the Romans, combined with a chronology of myths and a dictionary of key characters, objects, and events.

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.

  • A detailed timeline serves as a convenient "episode guide" chronicling events described in classical mythology
  • A comprehensive A–Z section offers a quick way to identify the gods, mortals, events, and objects that are key to specific myths

Other editions - View all

About the author (2004)

William Hansen is professor of classical studies and folklore and codirector of mythology studies at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

Bibliographic information