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· 400 ratings · 15 reviews

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Jan 10, 2015 Diamond rated it it was amazing

I used this book in my undergraduate Classical Mythology class. It's one of the few textbooks that I didn't sell back; because I wanted to keep for further reference. Even more amazing, I actually have used it for reference and perusal many times.

I recommend it actually exactly for that purpose. If you like Mythology at all, it's really handy to have in your collection because you just check the table of contents, find the myth and BOOM; short and sweet, easy to understand.

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I think that it is very hard to strike the right balance with a book that is summarizing the classic myths of Greece--this book has some great excerpts from the original sources (which were written long after the myths were created, but the earliest versions that exist today--I saw a scroll that was salvaged from Hercaleneum, and was amazed that they were able to figure out anything at all from it...). The downside is that the telling of the stories is more pedantic than entertaining, and I thin I think that it is very hard to strike the right balance with a book that is summarizing the classic myths of Greece--this book has some great excerpts from the original sources (which were written long after the myths were created, but the earliest versions that exist today--I saw a scroll that was salvaged from Hercaleneum, and was amazed that they were able to figure out anything at all from it...). The downside is that the telling of the stories is more pedantic than entertaining, and I think that despite it being a textbook, these stories ahve a dramatic quality that lends them to that approach. It was not dreadful as a text (and the on-line learning modules and quizzes are outstanding) but one could hope for better. ...more

I read most of this textbook for my Classical Mythology class in the fall of 2008. I started re-reading it a few days ago :-)

I read this book mostly as part of a Classical Myth class. However, it pairs really well with Greek Tragedies, another book that I recently finished, and offers the read great insight into classical myths by discussing the context around them. The book focuses on classical myths, but also touches on the history, archaeology, and geography of the ancient Greco-Roman world, and provides a great vehicle for learning and understanding these stories.

Great detail

Lots of connections with literature and art.

Dec 06, 2012 Molly rated it liked it

"The Greek gods had personalities like those of humans and struggled with one another for position and power. They did not love humans (although some had favorites) and did not ask to be loved by them. They did not impose codes of behavior. They expected respect and honor but could act contrary to human needs and desires."

Read (most of) this book for my mythology class in my senior year of college. Very comprehensive, very good layout. It introduces those who may not know much about myth, but g

Read (most of) this book for my mythology class in my senior year of college. Very comprehensive, very good layout. It introduces those who may not know much about myth, but goes in depth as well. I loved how it went further back than the Olympians, all the way to the very beginning of Greek and Roman myth.
Another great feature was the tie-ins to today. It had multiple sections that connected classical myth to current myth interpretations. (The Percy Jackson series was one.) All in all, a great choice for a myth class or for someone who wants to learn more about mythology.

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Jan 04, 2008 Megan rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Megan by: Professor Rauk

This is one of the best textbooks on classical (Greek and Roman) Mythology out there. It's well organized, and the organization really helps pull together the larger themes of many more well-known myths. The passages of texts chosen are appropriate and not too long but many are from less common sources. This book is excellent for an overarching survey text; outside reading assignments of the classics should be added in where relevant. There are also a lot of extras related to this book on the pu This is one of the best textbooks on classical (Greek and Roman) Mythology out there. It's well organized, and the organization really helps pull together the larger themes of many more well-known myths. The passages of texts chosen are appropriate and not too long but many are from less common sources. This book is excellent for an overarching survey text; outside reading assignments of the classics should be added in where relevant. There are also a lot of extras related to this book on the publisher's website. ...more

I took this course because it was an elective. Little did I know how much I'd love Mythology and its importance to understanding who we are. Myth is rife throughout our language, labels, and in our meaning. If you want to understand yourself and your roots better then this is the place to go. Oh, by the way, Barry Powell is the master of myth and will not disappoint or lead you astray. I took this course because it was an elective. Little did I know how much I'd love Mythology and its importance to understanding who we are. Myth is rife throughout our language, labels, and in our meaning. If you want to understand yourself and your roots better then this is the place to go. Oh, by the way, Barry Powell is the master of myth and will not disappoint or lead you astray. ...more

I used this book for a class, and while it gave all the information, I needed I didn't find it all that compelling to read. The author seems to know abundant information on both Greek civilization and the myths but it may be hard to read straight through. I used this book for a class, and while it gave all the information, I needed I didn't find it all that compelling to read. The author seems to know abundant information on both Greek civilization and the myths but it may be hard to read straight through. ...more

Okay, the glossary in The Voyage of Argo is too abbreviated so I'm having to bust out my old mythology book as a reference. First read this one for undergrad coursework back in 2001. It's a succinct and well-organized survey text. Okay, the glossary in The Voyage of Argo is too abbreviated so I'm having to bust out my old mythology book as a reference. First read this one for undergrad coursework back in 2001. It's a succinct and well-organized survey text. ...more

If you don't really know anything about Greek/roman mythology this is a great book. Besides focusing on Greek and roman myths it also ties in other cultural myths too. Even though I had to read it for class it was a great read! If you don't really know anything about Greek/roman mythology this is a great book. Besides focusing on Greek and roman myths it also ties in other cultural myths too. Even though I had to read it for class it was a great read! ...more

Probably the best overview of Greek mythology I have ever read. This book does not read like a text book.

I actually read the 2nd ed. and am ordering the 6th ed. for my mythology class. I like the many translations from many classical sources.

Mar 19, 2012 Rachel rated it did not like it

Stories are interesting but the way they are presented along with the author's opinions make this a annoying read Stories are interesting but the way they are presented along with the author's opinions make this a annoying read ...more

News & Interviews

For hard-core book lovers, the month of December is a mixed blessing. Those relentless holiday obligations tend to cut into reading time....

"As you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that your journey be a long one,
filled with adventure, filled with discovery.
Laestrygonians and Cyclopes,
the angry Poseidon--do not fear them:
you'll never find such things on your way
unless your sight is set high, unless a rare
excitement stirs your spirit and your body.
The Laestrygonians and Cyclopes,
the savage Poseidon--you won't meet them
so long as you do not admit them to your soul,
as long as your soul does not set them before you.
Pray that your road is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings
when with what pleasure, with what joy,
you enter harbors never seen before.
May you stop at Phoenician stations of trade to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and voluptuous perfumes of every kind--
buy as many voluptuous perfumes as you can.
And may you go to many Egyptian cities
to learn and learn from those who know.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
You are destined to arrive there.
But don't hurry your journey at all.
Far better if it takes many years,
and if you are old when you anchor at the island,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will give you wealth.
Ithaca has given you a beautiful journey.
Without her you would never have set out.
She has no more left to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not mocked you.
As wise as you have become, so filled with experience,
you will have understood what these Ithacas signify." — 17 likes

"Carved on the temple [at Delphi] were the exhortations "Know yourself" and "Nothing too much," mottoes with a similar meaning: You are only human, so don't try more than you are able (or you will pay the price). A recurring theme in Greek myth is the man or woman who loses sight of human limitations and acts arrogantly and with violence, as if immortal. And pays a terrible price." — 8 likes

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