Review

"In a single book, the central questions of 3000 years of myth tradition are discussed or at least touched. It enables the reader to get a thoughtful overview of a very complex field, and that is exactly what a companion should do... everyone interested in Greek myth will estimate this companion as a useful and inspiring departing point for getting deeper into the subject." -Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Product Description

A unique resource, 'The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology' is essential reading for understanding not only Greek myth, but also its enormous impact on art, architecture, literature, politics and philosophy across the ages. More than a compendium of isolated facts, 'The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology' is thoughtfully composed by a team of international experts who highlight important themes in three sections. The first part examines oral and written Greek mythology and the uses of these myths from the epic poetry of the eighth century BC to the mythographic catalogs of the early centuries AD. The second section looks at the relationship between ancient Greek myth and Greek culture and investigates the Roman appropriation of the Greek mythic tradition. Section three follows the reception of Greek myth from the Middle Ages to modernity, taking in such factors as feminist scholarship, cinema and literature. Important for its reach and breadth, its integrated approach and its up-to-date treatment, 'The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology' is fundamental for anyone seeking a broader understanding of the myths and their influence on western tradition.

Roger Woodard is the Andrew V.V. Raymond Professor of the Classics and Professor of Linguistics at the University of Buffalo (The State University of New York). He has taught in the United States and Europe and is the author of a number of books in myth and ancient civilization, most recently Indo-European Sacred Space: Vedic and Roman Cult. Dr. Woodard is editor of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the World’s Ancient Languages, which received a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title award in 2006.