The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology

Zeus, Athena, Heracles and Odysseus belong to stories that overlap, diverge and change from one ancient source to another. The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology makes those connections easier to follow, with cross-referenced entries on the figures, places and episodes of Greek and Roman tradition.

The dictionary draws on Pierre Grimal’s larger reference work, in A. R. Maxwell-Hyslop’s translation and an edition prepared by Stephen Kershaw. Alongside familiar gods and heroes are lesser-known names that surface in ancient poetry, drama and art. The cross-references help piece together how one story relates to another, even when the surviving versions do not agree.