Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae: Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology

by Stephen M. Trzaskoma, Hyginus, R. Scott Smith (Translator)

By offering, for the first time in a single edition, complete English translations of Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae --the two most important surviving "handbooks" of classical mythography--this volume enables readers to compare the two's versions of the most important Greek and Roman myths. A General Introduction sets the Library and Fabulae into the wider context of ancient mythography; introductions to each text discuss in greater detail issues of authorship, aim, and influence. A general index, an index of people and geographic locations, and an index of authors and works cited by the mythographers are also included.

Genres: Mythology, Classics, Literature, History, Reference, Amazon, Greece

328 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2007

Reviews

[Erick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the Trojan horse isn't found in the Iliad, nor is the account of Achilles' death. Some of the main sources we have for Greek mythology, such as the preceding examples, come from the mythographers, i.e. Apollodorus and Hyginus. They fill in many gaps in our knowledge of Greek mythology. They recount the genealogy of the gods and tells of their amorous exploits and offspring. Not all of the tales are fabulous either. Some seem to be grounded in very possible history. Intrigues, wars, murders and many other subjects are recounted. One can conclude that many of the Greek playwrights were originally either inspired by handbooks such as these, or, possibly, from oral tradition. Chances are good when one reads more current mythogoraphical works like those of Robert Graves or Thomas Bulfinch, one will undoubtedly encounter these earlier mythographers as primary sources. What these works lack in poetic flair, they make up for in simply providing details.

As far as Greek mythology is concerned, Hyginus and Apollodorus are essential sources. They are later than Hesiod and Homer undoubtedly, but the traditions they recount are probably much older. The only other notable sources we have for Greek mythology comes from various odes, fragments, lyric poets and the tragedians and the comedians.

I have to say that I was put off by some of the phrasing chosen by the translators here. It is off putting when ancient thought is twisted into modern idiom. I suppose I prefer Romantic and Victorian phrasing and would probably opt for high (for lack of a better word) English than 21st century vernacular English.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a great handbook and I'm sure I'll keep it around for the index. Not a fun read though, since it's just a list of names with a few stories, and the translation isn't very elegant or interesting. I did discover some new gods I hadn't read about before, but most of the good stories in here have already been made epic for us by better writers.

[Matt Vigneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasure to read these fables and myths. Apollodorus' Bibliotheke is the more readable part of this handbook. Fabulae, while interesting to review, is more encyclopedic.

[Charles Hull]

Solid handbook for reference

[Marcos Augusto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greek mythology is probably my favorite subject, however the writing of the authors collected here is very brief and superficial.

[Rafael Díaz HR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apollodorus is OK and written coherently, which is outstanding for such a topic; it's hard to make sense out of Hyginus. Most of the interesting stories are better told by Apollodorus, but it's good to complement with both versions

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many things to read and keep track of, head is spinning

[Jonathan]

great translations of the wellspring of Greek myths.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

The classics can be hard to read sure to the misogyny, but are well worth it to understand the origins of so many concepts we use every day. Plus, monsters.