"Classical Mythology is comprehensive, clear, well organized, current, balanced in its approach, contemporary but not highly ideological, and refreshingly respectful of religious experience. I know of no better."--Richard F. Moorton, Jr., Connecticut College

Table of Contents
Illustrations and Works of Art
Preface
Preface to the First Edition
Introduction 1
The Myths of Creation: The Gods 35
1 Myths of Creation 37
2 Zeus' Rise to Power: The Creation of Mortals 53
3 The Twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, and Their Children 76
4 Anthropomorphism and Greek Humanism 93
5 Poseidon, Sea Deities, Group Divinities, and Monsters 108
6 Athena 116
7 Aphrodite and Eros 128
8 Artemis 157
9 Apollo 169
10 Hermes 200
11 Dionysus, Pan, Echo, and Narcissus 218
12 Demeter and the Eleusinian Mysteries 251
13 Views of the Afterlife: The Realm of Hades 271
14 Orpheus and Orphism: Mystery Religions in Roman Times 298
The Greek Sagas: Greek Local Legends 313
15 The Theban Saga 315
16 The Mycenaean Saga 338
17 The Trojan Saga 350
18 The Returns 391
19 Perseus and the Legends of Argos 409
20 Heracles 420
21 Theseus and the Legends of Attica 449
22 The Argonauts 472
23 Myths of Local Heroes and Heroines 490
The Survival of Classical Mythology 511
24 The Nature of Roman Mythology 513
25 The Survival of Classical Mythology in Literature and Art 556
26 Classical Mythology in Music and Film 595
Notes 615
Select Bibliography 649
The Greek Spelling of Names 651
Index of Authors, Artists, Composers, and Titles I-1
Glossary/Index of Mythological and Historical Persons, Places, and Subjects I-11