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126th out of 398 books
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762 voters
The Library of Greek Mythology (World's Classics)
The only work of its kind to survive from classical antiquity, the Library of Apollodorus is a unique guide to Greek mythology, from the origins of the universe to the Trojan War. Apollodorus' Library has been used as a source book by classicists from the time of its compilation in the 1st-2nd century BC to the present, influencing writers from antiquity to Robert Graves....more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
February 25th 1999
by Oxford University Press, USA
(first published -200)
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Probably written in the first or second century AD, probably not by Apollodorus, and certainly written in rather inelegant Greek, The Library of Greek Mythology is our only extant source of some of our most familiar Greek myths and variations, thus being an invaluable addition to our awareness and understanding of Greek culture. More of the myths contained in this work describe the adventures of heroes rather than gods, also providing information that rounds out our understanding of events immed...more
Dec 03, 2010
Erik Graff
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
mythographers
Recommended to Erik by:
no one
Shelves:
religion
We don't actually know when the author of the Bibliotheca lived. The earliest source is ninth century, but most agree to Greek origins of an earlier date, possibly in the late first or early second centuries. We don't know who the author was either. The attribution to Apollodorus, while old, is mistaken, so purists assign the text to an unknown Pseudo-Apollodus.
This is more an encyclopediac geneology than just a literary collection of stories. Consequently, it's not an easy or very pleasant read...more
This is more an encyclopediac geneology than just a literary collection of stories. Consequently, it's not an easy or very pleasant read...more
Not the most entertaining of reads as it is just a recitation of the bare bones of most of the myths.
But very informative, good notes too. Ties most of the myths together into some semblance of order, puts them in context...and the notes point out the clashes and inconsistencies.
However the tedious and passionless use of the phrase "had intercourse with" started to grate after a while...these are deities being talked about, surely a more poetic, or even earthy, phrase could have been used.
Things...more
But very informative, good notes too. Ties most of the myths together into some semblance of order, puts them in context...and the notes point out the clashes and inconsistencies.
However the tedious and passionless use of the phrase "had intercourse with" started to grate after a while...these are deities being talked about, surely a more poetic, or even earthy, phrase could have been used.
Things...more
Excellent survey of Greek mythology. Basically contains the roots of every form of/theme in literature that has followed in the subsequent 2000+ years. Particularly notable for its relatively enlightened/non-judgmental descriptions of non-heterosexual love.
A dry, brief, and thorough account of Greek Mythology and heroic genealogy. Good for students or researchers, or to read along with an ancient history course. And now I must rant: reading these casual accounts of barbaric deities makes me shudder. Yuck.
Apr 04, 2013
Regan
is currently reading it
I choose this book because i am really interested in greek mythology. I like the stories of the book especially the sticks, but i don't like the false ending's. The god i like the most is
This is our literature books of the greek mythology
Wow...its good
go athena!
Mar 06, 2008
bridget trinkaus
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to bridget by:
mary lou vredenburg
Shelves:
for-school
Apollodorus tells myths in a straightforward sparknotes kinds of way. it is really helpful. some of the stories explore the various versions of a myth. it is interesting that some myths have more than one version, such as helen of troy.
This book is now believed to have been compiled rather later than originally thought, probably in the 1st century BC. As a short summary of the whole of Greek myth, the Library is more of a reference work than an enjoyable read.
Bought this to read in conjunction with Hesiod's Theogony for A330 preparation. I've dipped into a couple of the myths and it seems eminently readable.
One of the all time great books. The stories are short, most have amazing plots and almost all of them end with a good moral.
I died. Didn't finish. Distracted by better reads.
(A 2008 birthday gift from Liz.)
May 19, 2013
Brt3xo
marked it as to-read
May 18, 2013
Loren Taylor
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May 18, 2013
Suraj Roy
added it
May 17, 2013
Jessie Patterson
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
research-for-creatures,
research-for-storyline
May 16, 2013
Guilherme Amorim
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May 16, 2013
Ayesha
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May 16, 2013
Mikaella Deyro
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May 15, 2013
Jamie
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May 14, 2013
Sandra
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May 14, 2013
Aaron Ellison
marked it as to-read
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May 04, 2013 06:39pm
May 04, 2013 07:39pm