This classical reference text compiles brief descriptions of approximately one thousand mythological characters, drawing primarily from Greek and Roman traditions alongside select Eastern and Scandinavian figures. Edited by Edward S. Ellis, the volume serves as a practical dictionary for students in academies and high schools who encounter classical allusions in literature and art.
The introductory chapters explore the origins of myth, examining how primitive peoples and ancient civilizations sought to explain natural phenomena and the creation of the universe. Ellis contrasts two primary schools of interpretation: the philologists, who trace myths to the evolution and root meanings of language, and the anthropologists, who view mythology as a reflection of early human thought and savage mental stages.
The main body of the book is arranged alphabetically, functioning as a comprehensive biographical directory of antiquity. Entries range from major Olympians like Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, and Venus to lesser-known demigods, nymphs, river spirits, and monstrous antagonists such as the Cyclops and the Furies.
Each entry provides the essential background of the figure, detailing parentage, defining exploits, and the moral or physical attributes assigned by classical poets. For instance, the tragic tales of heroes like Achilles and Jason, the labors of Hercules, and the clever machinations of Ulysses are recounted with concrete details drawn from primary sources.
The text also highlights the transformations and poetic fates that characterize classical lore, explaining how mortals and nymphs were famously changed into trees, constellations, or rivers as consequences of divine wrath or pity. Numerous cross-references connect related stories, such as the various hounds of Actaeon or the alternate names assigned to principal deities across different cultures.
While serving primarily as an educational handbook of classical allusions, the volume preserves the imaginative narrative style of nineteenth-century scholarship. The compilation concludes by providing a ready reference for readers seeking to instantly identify the gods, heroes, and fabulous beasts that populate classical literature and painting.
