Product Description

The only work of its kind to survive from classical antiquity, the Library of Apollodorus is a unique guide to Greek mythology, from the origins of the universe to the Trojan War. Apollodorus' Library has been used as a source book by classicists from the time of its compilation in the 1st-2nd century BC to the present, influencing writers from antiquity to Robert Graves. It provides a complete history of Greek myth, telling the story of each of the great families of heroic mythology, and the various adventures associated with the main heroes and heroines, from Jason and Perseus to Heracles and Helen of Troy. As a primary source for Greek myth, as a reference work, and as an indication of how the Greeks themselves viewed their mythical traditions, the Library is indispensable to anyone who has an interest in classical mythology. Robin Hard's accessible and fluent translation is supplemented by comprehensive notes, a map and full genealogical tables. The introduction gives a detailed account of the Library's sources and situates it within the fascinating narrative traditions of Greek mythology.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36454 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

About the Author
Robin Hard is Tutor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Reading.

Customer Reviews

Difficult reading of interesting subject matter
In Robin Hard's useful introduction he tells us that Apollodorus is simply an editor and that 'we should not expect such a work to have any literary merit'. This is absolutely correct. Having read some Homer, Hesiod, and the 3 tragedians Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles I wanted a text that put some kind of order onto Greek mythology. Fair enough, this is what Apollodorus does. But he does it in such a way that he leaves us with a text that is quite dull and difficult to read. If a certain person had fifty children then Apollodorus tells us every name. Entire paragraphs consist of this. But then The Iliad is summarised in a couple of pages! Perhaps is was assumed that readers would be familiar with the text so it could be skimmed over?

It is a useful book for scholars and those who are deeply entrenched in this particular age of civilisation. For the majority of us, though, it should not be high up on our reading lists and certainly the writers I have already mentioned should be read first (not to mention, perhaps, those that I am waiting to discover).

A little complicated for a novice regarding Mythology
A very complicated book not easy to discover the facts about any particular person, more a reference work for a well read student of mythology.