The Mythology Handbook: A Course in Ancient Greek Myths

Maybe you've heard of Zeus and Hera, or perhaps you know them by their Roman names, Jupiter and Juno. But did you know that the king and queen of the gods were not the first beings, at least according to the ancient Greeks? First came the Titans...or was it that Time laid an egg that became the earth? There are actually a few common myths the Greeks told that explained creation. This guidebook, written by a 19th-century explorer for her children, will tell you both of those stories. THE MYTHOLOGY HANDBOOK is divided into three sections. The first, "The Immortals," details the most important figures in ancient Greek mythology. There were, of course, the gods that lived on Mount Olympus. These gods, which included Zeus, Hera and Hermes, pretty much took care of everything for the people living on earth. Ancient Greeks could pray or sacrifice to a certain god that was especially adept at dealing with certain things, from weather to farming. The first section of the handbook also gives quick, useful summaries of some of the most important non-gods and the stories about them. There's the story of Persephone, who accidentally became the Queen of the Dead. Her mother, Demeter, was so sad that Persephone had to live in the Underworld that she went to Zeus for help. Zeus decided that Persephone had to live there only four months out of the year, and the rest of the time she could leave. This is why there are four sad, harsh winter months in which Demeter mourns her daughter's absence, and earth becomes cold and unwelcoming to plants and flowers. The next section, "Gods and Men," describes more essential stories of Greek mythology. If you ever thought you might want your own winged horse, think again --- there was only one man who was able to tame and ride Pegasus. There are also Greek myths that teach lessons, like the story of Daedalus and Icarus, who wore wings stuck to their bodies with wax. Icarus enjoyed flying so much that he flew too close to the sun and the wax melted. And you can familiarize yourself with the story of King Midas, who can teach better than anyone the lesson of "be careful what you wish for!" "A Time of Heroes," the final section, defines what the word "hero" originally meant. Only the bravest, best warriors, both men and women, could be considered heroes by Greek standards. THE MYTHOLOGY HANDBOOK is an excellent mythology primer, and it would serve as a good reference for anyone who needs a quick peek at a certain god, goddess or story. Easy to read, it is filled with wonderful illustrations and anecdotes to make the stories even more interesting. It even comes complete with activities, quizzes and appendices with extra information so that readers can do even more research if they find themselves particularly interested. And as if the book wasn't good enough, there are also stickers and a Greek alphabet included, perfect for sending secret messages about myths or anything else. --- Reviewed by Sarah Hannah Gómez