A Short Introduction to Classical Myth

by Barry B. Powell

In this brief book, Barry B. Powell provides the historical and theoretical background necessary to understand classical myth as it is found in its primary the works of Homer, Hesiod, the Greek tragedians and historians, Ovid, and Vergil. Part One examines the origin of the concept of "myth" and the many approaches to interpreting myth that were put forward by ancient theorists and their more recent successors. Part Two describes the cultural context in which classical myth developed. Part Three examines a number of prominent themes in classical myth, exploring its relationship to the art, politics, society, and history of the ancient world. The book is designed as companion reading for students or others who are studying myth through original sources.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mythology, History

Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2000

Reviews

[Emma Ann]

Read because I’m debating assigning this book, or sections of it, to my undergraduates. The author has some idiosyncrasies—namely his insistence that the Greek alphabet was invented to write down Homer—but the book is a good introduction to higher-level thinking about myth.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the myths of Rome, Greece, and the Mediterranean.