Elentarri's Book Blog

TITLE:  The Library of Greek Mythology

AUTHOR:  Apollodorus

TRANSLATOR:  Robin Hard

PUBLICATION:  Oxford's World Classics

FORMAT:  Paperback

ISBN-13:  9780199536320

_________________________________________

DESCRIPTION:

"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. It provides a complete history of Greek myth, telling the story of each of the great families of heroic mythology, and the various adventures associated with the main heroes and heroines, from Jason and Perseus to Heracles and Helen of Troy. As a primary source for Greek myth, as a reference work, and as an indication of how the Greeks themselves viewed their mythical traditions, the Library is indispensable to anyone who has an interest in classical mythology.

Robin Hard's accessible and fluent translation is supplemented by comprehensive notes, a map and full genealogical tables. The introduction gives a detailed account of the Library's sources and situates it within the fascinating narrative traditions of Greek mythology. "

__________________________________________

It's a bit difficult to review such an ancient text.  It is what it is - an encylopedic summary of Greek mythology, with a lot of "so-and-so begot so-an-so" and so-and-so killed so-and-so".  Sometimes there are variations of the myths and these are included.  The Library by Apollodorus would make an informative read for anyone obsessed with Greek Mythology.

Regarding the translation and publication - the translation is easy to read, the notes usefull and the introduction interesting.