PREFACE XV
The Introduction in previous editions has been revised and expanded to be-
come two chapters: Chapter 1, "Interpretation and Definition of Classical
Mythology," has additional material on important theorists with expanded treat-
ments of feminist issues, homosexuality, and rape; Chapter 2, "Historical Back-
ground of Greek Mythology," incorporates the most recent results of the ongo-
ing excavation of Troy under the direction of Manfred Korfmann.
Chapter 3, "Myths of Creation," now ends with biographical details about
Hesiod, followed by a translation of Theogony, lines 1-115, entitled "Hesiod and
the Muses."
Added to the end of Chapter 4, "Zeus' Rise to Power: The Creation of Mor-
tals," is a treatment of "Parallels in Myths of Greece and the Ancient Near East,"
which surveys major themes in Near Eastern epics that are also found in Greek
mythology.
A summary and elucidation of Euripides' Medea is appended to Chapter 24,
"Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts," which focuses upon the translation of the
three crucial scenes between Jason and Medea, with interpretative commentary.
Additional translations are found in Chapter 19, which now includes the
scene from the Iliad in which Achilles learns of the death of Patroclus, is con-
soled by his mother Thetis, and reaches the tragic decision to face his own death
by returning to battle (Book 18, lines 18-38 and 50-126); and in Chapter 20, which
now translates the Odyssey, Book 19, lines 525-553, an excerpt from Penelope's
first encounter with Odysseus disguised as a beggar, in which she describes her
dream about her geese.
Chapter 28, "Classical Mythology in Music, Dance, and Film," has been sig-
nificantly revised and expanded. The American contribution has in particular
received more detailed attention, and the dance section is new.
In general, more interpretative and exploratory material has been added
throughout, both in the text and in boxes. Some of these additions, including
the "Glossary of Mythological Words and Phrases in English," come from A
Companion to Classical Mythology, which had previously been published to sup-
plement the fifth edition of Classical Mythology.
Every chapter now includes its own Select Bibliography.
Finally, more than fifty new black-and-white illustrations and two color
plates have been added, and the maps have been revised to increase their clar-
ity and readability.
As a result of these many additions to the text, our work has become more
comprehensive than ever, a single substantive book embracing the content, in-
terpretation, and influence of classical mythology.
WEBSITEThe Website for Classical Mythology has been revised to elucidate and enhance,
to an even greater degree, the multifaceted subjects treated in the text. The site