The mythology of any people is interesting because it reflects their individual nature and developing life; that of the Creeks is more interesting to us than any other,first,because it expresses the nature of a people gifted with a peculiarly fine and artistic soul;secondly,because our own thought and art are,in great part,a heritage from the civilization of Greece.Much of this heritage comes to us quite directly from the Creek writers and artists whose works have been preserved.

Greek and Roman myths retain an enduring fascination for people especially children, who find these stories of super-powerful gods, flying horses, and mythic quests compelling. The book tells about the character and functions of the Olympian gods, the exploits of heroes, love and adventure stories, such as mighty Zeus traveling incognito among humankind, the brilliant weaver Arachne transformed into a spider by a jealous Athena.

Though much is known of the history of ancient Greece and Rome, the related mythologies of these two highly advanced societies tell us much about the beliefs and illusions that informed the thoughts and actions of their people.

Introduction

PART ⅠTHE GODS

Chapter

Ⅰ The World of the Myths

Ⅱ The Gods of Olympus:Zeus

Ⅲ Hera, Athena, Hephaestus

 Ⅰ. Hera (Juno)

 Ⅱ. Athena (Minerva)

 Ⅲ. Hephaestus (Vulcan)

Ⅳ Apollo and Artemis

 Ⅰ. Apollo

 Ⅱ. Artemis (Diana)

Ⅴ Hermes and Hestia

 Ⅰ. Hermes (Mercury)

 Ⅱ. Hestia (Vesta)

Ⅵ Ares and Aphrodite

 Ⅰ. Ares (mars)

 Ⅱ. Aphrodite (Venus)

Ⅶ The Lesser Deities of Olympus

 Ⅰ. Eros (Cupid)

 Ⅱ. Other Deities of Olympus

Ⅷ The Gods of the Sea

Ⅸ The Gods of the Earth

Ⅹ The World of the Dead

PART Ⅱ THE HEROES

Ⅺ Stories of Argos

Ⅻ Heracles (Hercules)

ⅩⅢ Stories of Crete, Sparta, Corinth, and Aetolia

 Ⅰ. Stories of Crete

 Ⅱ. Stories of Sparta

 Ⅲ. Stories of Corinth

 Ⅳ. The Calydonian Boar Hunt

ⅩⅣ Stories of Attica

ⅩⅤ Stories of Thebes

ⅩⅥ The Argonautic Expedition

ⅩⅦ The Trojan War

ⅩⅧ The Wanderings of Odysseus

ⅩⅨ The Tragedy of Agamemnon

ⅩⅩ The Legendary Origin of Rome

Appendix A

Appendix B