Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation [Hardcover]

Stephen Trzaskoma (Author), R. Scott Smith (Author), Stephen Brunet (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0872207226 | ISBN-13: 978-0872207226 | Publication Date: December 20, 2004

This volume is designed as a companion to the standard undergraduate mythology textbooks or, when assigned alongside the central Greek and Roman works, as a source-based alternative to those textbooks.

In addition to the complete texts of the Homeric Hymns and HesiodÂ’s Theogony, this collection provides generous selections from over 50 texts composed between the Archaic Age and the fourth century a.d. Ancient interpretation of myth is represented here in selections from the allegorists Heraclitus, Cornutus and Fulgentius, the rationalists Palaephatus and Diodorus of Sicily, and the philosophers and historians Plato, Herodotus and Thucydides. Appendices treat evidence from inscriptions, papyri and Linear B tablets and include a thematic index, a mythological dictionary, and genealogies. A thoughtful Introduction supports students working with the primary sources and the other resources offered here; an extensive note to instructors offers suggestions on how to incorporate this book into their courses.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I believe this volume will be an invaluable contribution to way we teach Classical myth at the university level. -- (Monica Cyrino, University of New Mexico)

No other book in English offers such a wide range of well-translated and important sources. --(Richard Martin, Stanford University)

About the Author

Stephen M. Trzaskoma and R. Scott Smith are Assistant Professors of Classics, University of New Hampshire.

Stephen Brunet is Associate Professor of Classics, University of New Hampshire.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co (December 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872207226
• ISBN-13: 978-0872207226
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,807,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Myth-Focused Folks!, August 11, 2007

By 

Amy Barr "www.lukeion.org" (H.S., N.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anthology Of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation : with Additional Translations by Other Scholars and an Appendix on Linear B sources by Thomas G. Palaima (Paperback)

Finally! There has been such need for a work like this and the editors/translators have done a fine job indeed. I teach live, online courses on mythology at The Lukeion Project and this year I will be developing a way to make this a required purchase for the fall 2008 session. Everything I need to teach a high quality course in mythology is availabe here (with the addition of my favorite translations of the epics and tragedies, of course). Any serious mythology educator must have this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book On The Greek Myths, April 7, 2010

By 

dr_shred (Tempe, AZ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anthology Of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation : with Additional Translations by Other Scholars and an Appendix on Linear B sources by Thomas G. Palaima (Paperback)

Bullfinch is O.K., but, while it's good, it only gives
passing reference to many of the Greek myths, e.g. Theseus,
the most revered myth of ancient Athens. The various books
from my local library and Amazon all had similar weaknesses,
some too simple as stories for very young folks or not
detailed enough in terms of the stories' origins. I wanted
a definitive text and took a chance on this book. I was not
disappointed.

Just reading about the Linear B in the Preface is worth 10
times its price. From Zeus's violent coup to Sinon's
convincing the skeptical Trojans the horse was a gift of the
gods, the book presents the myths from the original sources
with their original magic and power. I'm not an expert but
the translations appear to be excellent. The detailed index
organizes the different traditions for each story and
character.

This book makes clear why the Greek myths have captivated
generations.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book for informed sampling of classical Greek/Roman myths, March 7, 2008

By 

David Stump - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anthology Of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation : with Additional Translations by Other Scholars and an Appendix on Linear B sources by Thomas G. Palaima (Paperback)

Here is an outstanding compilation of samples from ancient Greek and Roman myths. Samples a wide range of well known, and lesser known myths from the ancient Greeks and Romans. Intro's are given to the myth's author, time and related issues in brief.

A very helpful resource for students of ancient history, mythology or even the new testament, since the new testament was written in an environment wherein many were steeped in these very sorts of tales either orally or in writ.