A Pocket Dictionary of Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses

(A cold reading is a term used in drama - you are given a piece to perform with no contextual clues. This title is befitting because this book tells of the character but doesn't tell the story.) I bought this book to help me write a soliloquy for my Shakespeare class. We were required to make allusions to Greek and Roman myth, and so this seemed like a good book, considering I knew I wouldn't have time to read anything novel-sized. I found this book helpful, but it really depends on what you're looking for. If you want myths, this is not the book for you. It's aptly named a dictionary, because it basically "defines" the gods and goddesses. It sums up a character in the space of one page, and provides an accompanying illustration. The descriptions are brief: birth, powers, flaws, and death. The occasional, short mythological reference is made if the character or story (Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid, etc) is well-known. A few things important to myth outside of gods and goddesses are mentioned as well: The Winds, Rivers, Nymphs, Muses, Fates, Kings & Emperors, and even the Christian God. If you don't have the time to read myths or you just need to get a rough background on a mythological character, this is a great help. It's a quick, interesting read, and well-organized. BUT you could probably find large amounts of accurate information on Wikipedia for free...

This book is a convenient tool to use as quick reference when reading Greek mythology. I was reading the Iliad with my son; he easily remembered all the Greek gods and goddesses and their relationships. I, on the other had, needed refreshing occasionally. This small, concisely written book served me well in that capacity.

This has them all, from Arodite to Zeus. Hades ruled over the land of the dead, or hell. Charon isn't mentioned here. Pan is mentioned. In 400 AD the Christian God became official in Rome.