Who's Who in Classical Mythology

By Michael Grant and John Hazel

Book Overview

Who's Who in Classical Mythology is an indispensable guide to all the Greek and Roman mythological characters, from major deities such as Athena and Bacchus, to the lesser-known wood nymphs and centaurs. Also included, of course, are the heroic mortals, figures such as Jason, Aeneas, Helen, Achilles, and Odysseus, all brought to life in a fascinating series of portraits drawn from a wide variety of ancient literary sources. Each entry offers a small window into a timeless mythological world, one filled with epic battles, bizarre metamorphoses, and all sorts of hideous and fantastic monsters. The perfect book for casual browsers and folklore enthusiasts alike, Who's Who in Classical Mythology offers a rich and readable guide to some of the greatest stories ever told.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195210301
• ISBN13: 9780195210309
• Release Date: November 1993
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 2.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Very good reference

I developed a passion for- some might even say obession with- Greek Mythology when I was nine. By the age of 10 I had graduated from Bulfinch's and D'Aulaire's to the big kid reference section. This was one of the references I used pretty often to try and piece together the larger story of the gods, heroes and kings. I remember frequently starting out on one topic and spending the next two hours jumping from one related topic to another- some of the best memories of my childhood. Although not a story but an encyclopedic guide, this gives a pretty good feel for the history of the period, from the period of the Titans (pre-Achaean history?) to the war in Troy to Rome. Any questions about Theseus, Perseus or Heracles? Come on over! This guide was published for the first time in 1973, and it shows. The discussion of goddesses and female figures are given a much shorter shrift here than their male counterparts. I don't think anyone would argue that this period didn't define patriarchy, but the stories of Demeter, Persephone and even Hera have been elucidated elsewhere in greater detail, and it would be informative to mention the early mysteries that predate Olympian worship. I also scratch my head at some of the things they removed- they can define Hemera, but not Aether? The best guide I have ever used- ever- is Who's Who in Greek and Roman Mythology. If you can get your hands on that, buy it. Otherwise, this isn't bad to have.

one of the best

This book is one of the best i've ever read on Greek/Roman myth, and i've read many in my life. This book contains entries on characters rarely found anywhere else such as Nox, the Greek personification of night. As such i often use this book as a measuring stick against other books in this area.

Great Reference On-The-Fly

Grant and Hazel have provided a finely grained and authoritative dictionary-style reference that is quite handy for identification of any figure from classical mythology. The book will prove useful for keeping at one's side when reading Homer, Hesiod, Sophocles, Euripides and company. Very helpful appendices include genealogical trees, alphabetical list of classical authors referred to, and clear and informative maps.

Resource Only

Who's Who is an excellent resource, but it is not meant for those who wish to sit down and read Greek myths. The book is set up in an encyclopedic fashion. References to specific Greek mythological figures are easy to locate. However if you are looking for Greek myths in story form, this is not the text for you.

Excellent resource and excellent fun

I bought this book as preparation for a Mediterranean study-cruise. It is a sort of encyclopedia of Greek and Roman mythology. Any classical mythological name can be found here with a synopsis of their major stories Just be warned: each character's story tends to be so interesting as to lead you to look up all the other characters that appear, and you will find yourself reading for hours.