Greek and Roman Mythology A to Z, 3rd Edition (2009)

This well-received and accessible book for young adults has been updated. It is part of an expanded Mythology A to Z series that also includes volumes on Egyptian (2000), Japanese (2003), and Norse mythology (2003). Other volumes will cover African, Celtic, Chinese, Native American, and South and Meso-American mythologies. Greek and Roman Mythology A to Z has more than 500 alphabetically arranged entries, ranging in length from a paragraph to several pages. Of these, more than 60 are new, and many others have been expanded. It features occasional black-and-white illustrations-some full page-a detailed index, and extensive cross-referencing. There is also a bibliography of mainly adult-level books published the past several decades. Not as visually enticing as the DK Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology: Heroes, Heroines, Gods, and Goddesses from around the World (DK, 1998), and featuring dictionary-type articles as opposed to retellings of legends or sagas, this nevertheless serves as a solid, reliable starting point for student research. Mythology remains a curriculum mainstay and a topic of perennial student interest. Collections that purchased the earlier version have probably noticed considerable wear and tear and will want to update. Other libraries that serve students in grades 4 through 10 should seriously consider the titles in this basic reference set.

According to many scholars, ancient Greece and Rome provided the foundations of Western culture. More than two millennia later, myths of both civilizations are still being studied for their rich storytelling and insight into the cultures that spawned them. Their continued retelling speaks to their universal appeal. This revised edition of "Greek and Roman Mythology A to Z" illuminates the mythology at the core of those civilizations' beliefs. Entries of this title include: the most famous Greek and Roman gods and goddesses; the most memorable heroes and heroines; important topics in mythology and culture, such as household gods and Olympic Games; places such as Athens, Parnassus, and Rome; and, more.