We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more
Instructor inspection copy request

E-book purchase
Choose a subscription

Downloaded copy on your device does not expire. Includes 4 years of Bookshelf Online.

close

Where applicable, tax will be added to the above price prior to payment.

E-book purchasing help

E-book purchase

E-books are granted under the terms of a single-user, non-transferable license, and may be accessed online from any location.

Contact information
E: Contact Us

Cover

Classical Mythology

Twelfth Edition

Author Mark Morford, Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham

Publication Date - 01 February 2023

ISBN: 9780197653920

752 pages
Paperback
8 x 10 inches

In Stock

A comprehensive, classic text that brings to life the myths and legends of Greece and Rome.

Description

Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, Classical Mythology, Twelfth Edition, is the most comprehensive survey of classical mythology available--and the first full-color textbook of its kind. Featuring the authors' clear and extensive translations of original sources, it brings to life the myths and legends of Greece and Rome in a lucid and engaging style. The text contains a wide variety of faithfully translated passages from Greek and Latin sources, including Homer, Hesiod, all the Homeric Hymns, Pindar, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Herodotus, Plato, Lucian, Lucretius, Vergil, Ovid, and Seneca.

The acclaimed author team incorporates a dynamic combination of poetic narratives and enlightening commentary to make the myths come alive for students. Offering historical and cultural background, they also examine the enduring survival of classical mythology and its influence in the fields of art, literature, music, dance, and film.

New to this Edition

  • In keeping with the challenge to present a rich visual program to accompany the text, a number of new illustrations have been included with informative captions.
  • Throughout, the text has been edited for greater clarity and accuracy. Chapter 25, "Greek Mythology in the Roman World," offers revised coverage of Ovid's Metamorphoses.
  • Throughout the text, the end of chapter bibliographies have been edited and updated with new material.
  • The enhanced e-book embeds digital resources directly the text, offering the reader an enhanced learning experience. These resources include note taking guides, audio flashcards, Closer Look videos, chapter practice questions, audio recordings, and web resources.

Features

  • Strong translations, all by authors.
  • Meticulously researched art program.
  • Myth and Culture. The visual program is further enriched by the "Myth & Culture" features, all of which were composed by Professor Sham. In twelve illustrated essays throughout the text, this feature allows a close and careful comparative study of the ways in which mythical figures and episodes have been depicted by different artists in a variety of media.
  • Audio Recordings. Users of Classical Mythology consistently praise the book for the quality of the translations of ancient works, all of which were done by the authors. Readers can enjoy listening to many of these translations as streaming audio files in either the enhanced e-book or in Oxford Learning Link: www.oup.com/he/morford12e . The translations that are available in an audio format are indicated in the margin by a icon.
  • Closer Look Image Analyses. The "Closer Look" image analyses offer the opportunity to examine in detail paintings, frescoes, sculpture, mosaics, photographs, and other fine art that represent important episodes from classical myth. Each "Closer Look" includes detailed commentary and guiding questions.
  • Strong digital support for instructors and students-the most of any book for this course.

About the Author(s)

Mark Morford (deceased)
Robert Lenardon (deceased)
Michael Sham, Siena College

Table of Contents

    Preface
    Maps, Figures, and Myth & Culture
    Closer Look Images and Audio Recordings
    About the Authors

    PART ONE
    The Myths of Creation: The Gods

    1 INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITION OF CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
    Appendix to Chapter 1: Sources for Classical Mythology
    2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY
    3 MYTHS OF CREATION
    4 ZEUS' RISE TO POWER: THE CREATION OF MORTALS
    Appendix to Chapter 4: Parallels in Myths of Greece and the Ancient Near East
    5 THE TWELVE OLYMPIANS: ZEUS, HERA, AND THEIR CHILDREN
    6 THE NATURE OF THE GODS AND GREEK RELIGION
    7 POSEIDON, SEA DEITIES, GROUP DIVINITIES, AND MONSTERS
    8 ATHENA
    9 APHRODITE AND EROS
    10 ARTEMIS
    Additional Reading: Euripides' Hippolytus
    11     APOLLO
    Additional Reading: Homeric Hymn to Pythian Apollo
    12 HERMES
    13 DIONYSUS, PAN, ECHO, AND NARCISSUS
    14 DEMETER AND THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES
    15 VIEWS OF THE AFTERLIFE: THE REALM OF HADES
    16 ORPHEUS AND ORPHISM: MYSTERY RELIGIONS IN ROMAN TIMES

    PART TWO
    The Greek Sagas

    Introduction to the Greek Sagas
    17 THE THEBAN SAGA
    18 THE MYCENAEAN SAGA
    Additional Reading: Orestes and the Three Electras
    19 THE TROJAN SAGA AND THE ILIAD
    Appendix to Chapter 19: Meleager and the Calydonian Boar Hunt
    20 THE RETURNS AND THE ODYSSEY
    21 PERSEUS AND THE LEGENDS OF ARGOS
    Appendix: Bellerophon and the Chimera
    22 HERACLES
    23 THESEUS AND THE LEGENDS OF ATTICA
    24 JASON, MEDEA, AND THE ARGONAUTS
    Additional Reading: Jason and Medea in Euripides

    PART THREE
    The Nature of Roman Mythology

    25 GREEK MYTHOLOGY IN THE ROMAN WORLD
    Additional Reading: Stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses
    26 ROMAN MYTHOLOGY AND SAGA

    Glossary of Mythological Words and Phrases in English
    The Greek Spelling of Names
    Indexes
    A. Index of Authors, Artists, Composers, and Titles
    B. Glossary/Index of Mythological and Historical Persons, Places, and Subjects

Related Titles