Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation

by Stephen M. Trzaskoma (Editor), R. Scott Smith (Editor), Stephen Brunet (Editor)

This new edition of Anthology of Classical Myth offers selections from key Near Eastern texts—the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Epic of Creation (Enuma Elish), and Atrahasis; the Hittite Song of Emergence; and the flood story from the book of Genesis—thereby enabling students to explore the many similarities between ancient Greek and Mesopotamian mythology and enhancing its reputation as the best and most complete collection of its kind.

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, Classics, School, History, Reference, Religion

561 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2004

Reviews

[sarah]

*read for greek myth class*

read way too much of this textbook to not add it on here. i guess i can say ovid's poetry is amazing, hesiod's work is the most extensive, and apollodorus goes on forever my god the guy loves detail

[Ryan Schaller]

If you're new to Classical Mythology, you should start with something like Edith Hamilton's Mythology, Robert Graves' The Greek Myths, or Richard Martin's "Myths of Ancient Greece" as an introduction. Then you probably want to read Homer, Hesiod, and the Greek Tragedians in full.

Once you've read through those, as well as probably Ovid, the Homeric Hymns, and Vergil, this is where you want to go next. The editors have assembled an impressive collection of translated primary sources. Lesser known writers included in this volume include Aelian, Antonius Liberalis, Apollodorus, Babrius, Conon, Diodorus, Eratosthenes, Hellanicus, Heraclitus, Herodotus the mythographer, Hyginus, Lucian, Lucretius, Palaephatus, Parthenius, Pausanias, myths from Plato's dialogues, Proclus, Xenophanes, and others. This is an amazing resource. The only other way you'll get this wide a variety of classical sources is if you buy around 20-30 separate Loebs.

This edition is a steal. The introductions for each writer as well as the extensive appendices which contain full translations of various Near Eastern sources are all useful.

[Gissele Sosa]

The summaries before each Source is top-tier. They helped me comprehend the sources and identify what I needed to take from the text from an educative standpoint. Super great and I highly recommend it!

[eleftheria]

I read enough sections for class that I'm marking it as read, but I'm definitely interested to read other parts we didn't cover.

[esen ☼ ⋆｡˚⋆ฺ ♡]

read too much of this for my uni myth class to not add on here. great selection of works. i love ovid and apollodorus❤️

[Jason Gardner]

Read full review at https://eisdoxan.wordpress.com/2017/0...

[Michael Joosten]

There a number of smaller texts in Greek mythology besides Homer, and plenty of these have been conveniently gathered together in Trzakoma's edition. Since Trzakoma can hardly be held responsible, for good or ill, for the content of these centuries-old texts, it is better here to note that this volume includes useful introductions to the various texts (would the students only read them...) and is in general composed of the smaller, bite-sized chunks of mythology that, in their smallness, are less-intimidating ways to become familiar with the mythology that began the western literary tradition.

[RL]

I read this book for a class, and I did not read the entire thing. However, the substantial chunks we did read (that I did not keep track of) are so scattered throughout the anthology that it’s hard to figure out what I did and didn’t go through. The course readings are finished, however, and as is my current use for this book. Basically it’s done, but I still feel a little guilty for marking it as read and potentially not having read the entire thing.

[Isabella]

I am knee deep in Hesiod's Theogony !!! this is amazing if you like mythology. This is a great translation that makes it easy to read.

[Jude]

Read for school. Virgil is the og plagarizer.

[⋆⭒˚ Ali ☾⋆.˚]

Greek myth is so interesting.

[Gretchen]

translations are clear and easy to follow and there are many versions presented.

[Rachel]

I will never not be completely fascinated and awed by Greek mythology and its characters. While some stories are completely ridiculous, you can also find some of the most beautiful, heartbreaking stories in history. These pieces are timeless in its themes, and I one hundred percent believe everyone should introduce themselves to these stories at least once in their life.