Encyclopedia of Greco-Roman Mythology

by Mike Dixon-Kennedy

Overview

Encyclopedia of Greco-Roman Mythology presents over 1,400 comprehensive A–Z entries of the myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome. The entries are cross-referenced where appropriate, and an extensive bibliography is provided. Entries include Heracles and Alexander the Great, and geographical features such as the islands of the Blessed and Dardanelles. An unusual feature of this dictionary is the inclusion of astronomical data, linking the myths and legends to the celestial objects named after them. Diverse characters and events from related traditions—Greco-Egyptian, Roman-Celtic, and more—round out the volume.

Students of classical Greek and Roman traditions, librarians, and general readers will turban to this volume again and again for authoritative information on the myths and legends of these ancient cultures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781576070949
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/01/1998
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Mike Dixon-Kennedy is a professional writer.

Editorial Reviews

Recommended for secondary school students and lower-division undergraduates.” —Choice

From the Publisher

These two volumes of Greek and Roman mythology cover essentially the same material, though each contains some information the other does not. Dixon-Kennedys Encyclopedia is relatively easy to read. Entries, in ready-reference format, are short and to the point. Cross references are given, though they are not extensive. Readers will use this as a quick reference source only, leading them to more in-depth searching as their interest dictates. Dixon-Kennedy (European Myth & Legend, Blandford, 1997) does not offer citations for each entry because he has restricted his research citations to four volumes: Robert Gravess two-volume The Greek Myths, Homers Iliad and Odyssey, and Virgils Aeneid. All other information, he states in his preface, comes from original personal research. Nonetheless, he includes an extensive bibliography of works that contain essential information to some degree or another. The Cassell Dictionary generally has more extensive entries. Citations are given with each entry, and cross references are included within the text in small capital letters. More resources have been cited in the text, but the bibliography is not quite as extensive as that in the Encyclopedia. This volume includes pictures and photographs, which the other does not, as well as references within entries to the mythological influence on art, literature, and culture. British scholar March also quotes often from classical poets and playwrights where appropriate. In general, the Cassell Dictionary is more scholarly in both content and appearance, while the Encyclopedia is more accessible to younger students. Either is an acceptable addition, depending on the needs of the collection.Katherine K. Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh

Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-In more than 1400 entries, this guide covers the major gods and heroes, many minor figures, and even some historical figures and places. Unfortunately, the text is sometimes confusing, marred by syntactic tangles and clumsy wording. Some content errors exist (e.g., Hellenic for Hellenistic, Phintias for Phidias), together with inadequate cross-referencing (e.g., between "Trojan Horse" and "Wooden Horse," neither referencing the other). There is no way to tell which names in a given entry have their own individual entries. The preface asserts that "...practice and common sense will lead to the correct pronunciation" of Greek names, end of subject. The orientation is not literary: there is no distinction between the Iliadic and Odyssean portrayal of Odysseus, between the Underworld of the Odyssey and that of the Aeneid, no mention of scholarly debate over Virgil's Augustan agenda, and not enough detail in the description of Odysseus's or Aeneas's narratives. Such weaknesses reduce the value of what is a most thorough and helpful guide. There is an extensive bibliography (missing Piero Boitani, Roberto Calasso, Brooks Otis), and the appendixes give chronologies of ancient Greece, Rome, and Roman emperors.-Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RI Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gathers the essential myths and legends of Greek and Roman culture into an easy-to-use guide. Approximately 1,400 entries are arranged alphabetically with cross-references and a detailed bibliography. They include characters and events from Greco-Egyptian, Romano-Celtic, and other traditions, as well as astronomical information that provides a link to the celestial objects named for them. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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