Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome

by E.M. Berens

HarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.

‘This was the slaying of the Minotaur, which put an end forever to the shameful tribute of seven youths and seven maidens which was exacted from the Athenians every nine years.‘

The gods, heroes and legends of Greek mythology and their Roman interpretations are as fascinating as they are instructive. They include the almighty Zeus and his many wives; heroic Perseus, slayer of the snake-headed Medusa; Helen of Troy, whose beauty caused a great war; Medea, driven mad by jealousy; and tragic Persephone, doomed to live half of each year in the Underworld, condemning the world above to winter.

First published in 1880, this comprehensive collection is an early modern retelling of the characters and tales of ancient Greece and Rome; a popular account which offers an important insight into the ancient civilisations that it evokes, and forms a basis for our understanding of the classical world.

Genres: Classics, Mythology

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2016

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all: why is the story so Mixed?? It was written as a “Greek story” but then get the facts from Ovid, A ROMAN WRITER, who hated the Gods because of the merge between the Roman Gods.

Second: I was so closed to ripping it apart because I kept seeing Roman stories instead of Greeks during the Greek mythology section. My pinpoint was when Medusa was introduced I literally RIPPED IT OFF because I was so pissed. Ovid is not a reliable source im telling you.

I was only fascinated during the parts where it said the sources were from Homer and Hesiod (the only two authors I still rely on).

Overall i dont recommended this book if you wanna learn about Greek mythology. Pick up a Homer book or any Hesiod.

[devne · Rating 5 out of 5]

valuable… but sometimes it’s hard to focus on the story because of the male gaze, but it’s written in 1880 so it’s (a bit) tolerable.

[Michel ignalig · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" by E.M. Berens is a classic retelling of the ancient Greek and Roman myths, it provides readers with an introduction to the gods, heroes, and legendary figures of these ancient civilizations. Berens' prose is clear and engaging, making the stories accessible to readers of all ages. The book covers a wide range of myths, from the creation of the world to the stories of the Trojan War, and includes detailed character profiles of the major figures in each myth. The book also includes a helpful glossary and pronunciation guide for those unfamiliar with Greek and Roman names. Overall, "Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome" is an excellent introduction to these fascinating stories and a must-read for anyone interested in classical mythology.

[kiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

080224 • temporary pause
will get back to this book some other time. already on Artemis

[Edita Deliu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good it just felt like I was reading a textbook. It would’ve been better if everything was in the format of the legends, that whole storytelling vibe. I loved the abundant use of big words.

[Ade · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was like watching reality TV. I loved it.

[Y Kanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dry and dense, the book gives you wholly the story of each diety and mythological belief, their ways of worship, and other legends. Interesting to read but dense and hard to remember well.