Classical Mythology

CONTENTS

PLATES, MAPS, AND FIGURES ix

PREFACE xiii

ABOUT THE AUTHORS xvii

PART ONE THE MYTHS OF CREATION: THE GODS

1 Interpretation and Definition of Classical Mythology 3

Appendix to Chapter I: Sources for Classical Mythology 26

2 Historical Background of Greek Mythology 39
3 Myths of Creation 51
Additional Reading: Hesiod and the Muses (Theogony, I—115) 71
4 Zeus' Rise to Power: The Creation of Mortals 76
Additional Reading: Parallels in Myths of Greece and
the Ancient Near East 98
5 The Twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, and Their Children 108
6 The Nature of the Gods 128
7 Poseidon, Sea Deities, Group Divinities, and Monsters 147
8 Athena 157
9 Aphrodite and Eros 171
10 Artemis 200
Additional Reading: Selections from Euripides' Hippolytus 212
11 Apollo 226
Additional Reading: The Homeric Hymn to Pythian Apollo 246
12 Hermes 257
13 Dionysus, Pan, Echo, and Narcissus 274
14 Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries 307
15 Views of the Afterlife: The Realm of Hades 328
16 Orpheus and Orphism: Mystery Religions in Roman Times 354

vii