A Handbook of Greek Mythology
📘 About This Book
In this new and substantially revised edition of H. J. Rose's classic survey and analysis of the evolution and tradition of Greek myth, Robin Hard adds various features which bring the work up-to-date with contemporary scholarship and address the needs of students. * a new preface analysing and contextualising H. J. Rose's attitude to myth * a new chapter devoted to the epic and other poetic sources of the myths, narrative prose mythography and the various forms of rationalisation * a new chapter examining the relationship between the different myths of Gods and heroes, with genealogical tables. Robin Hard shows how the myths of individual families and distinct locations hold together to form a coherent pseudo-historical pattern * extensively revises and simplifies notes * a new annotated bibliography. A Handbook of Greek Mythology presents a invaluable and user-friendly guide to the myths and legends of ancient Greece - their genesis, sources, development and significance.
📖 Summary
H. J. Rose's classic survey and analysis stands as an essential resource for anyone looking to understand the evolution and tradition of Greek myth. Originally established as a foundational text, this substantially revised edition published in 2004 incorporates modern updates by Robin Hard to ensure the work meets the needs of contemporary students and scholars alike. Spanning 333 pages, the book dives deep into the intricate tapestry of ancient Greek storytelling, tracing how these timeless legends developed and shifted over centuries of historical and literary transmission. The revised edition features a thoughtful new preface that carefully analyzes and contextualizes H. J. Rose's personal attitude toward myth, offering readers a meta-perspective on how the original author approached his subject matter. Furthermore, the updated volume introduces a dedicated new chapter exploring the diverse poetic sources of the myths, including epic poetry, narrative prose mythography, and the various methods by which ancient commentators attempted to rationalize supernatural tales. Another major addition is a chapter specifically designed to examine the complex relationships shared between the distinct myths of gods and heroes, complete with helpful genealogical tables. Through this framework, Robin Hard demonstrates how the seemingly disparate myths belonging to individual families and specific geographical locations actually interconnect to form a surprisingly coherent pseudo-historical pattern. To make the scholarly apparatus more accessible, the volume also extensively revises and simplifies the accompanying notes and includes a newly annotated bibliography. By combining Rose's original analytical rigor with modern academic refinements, this handbook serves as both a reliable reference tool and a compelling historical exploration of why these myths endure and how they continue to captivate the human imagination.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Brings a classic reference work up to date with contemporary scholarship
Includes helpful genealogical tables for tracking gods and heroes
Provides valuable new chapters on poetic sources and rationalization
Features simplified notes and an annotated bibliography for students
⚠️ Cons
May feel dense or academic for casual readers seeking purely narrative storytelling
Focuses heavily on scholarly analysis rather than modern creative retellings
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of A Handbook of Greek Mythology? +
The book was originally written by H. J. Rose, with this 2004 edition substantially revised and updated by Robin Hard.
What year was this revised edition published? +
This revised edition was published in 2004.
How many pages does the book contain? +
The book contains 333 pages.
What new features were added to the 2004 edition? +
The new edition adds a preface contextualizing Rose's views, a chapter on poetic sources and rationalization, a chapter on god and hero relationships with genealogical tables, simplified notes, and an annotated bibliography.
What genres does this book belong to? +
This book falls primarily under the history genre.
