Mythology (book)

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Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes is a 1942 book written by Edith Hamilton. It is an anthology of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology compiled from classical sources. The introduction to the text includes a commentary on the major contributing poets throughout ancient history and the changing characterization of mythology and deities as cultures have evolved. Since its publication, it has become one of the most powerful and critically-acclaimed books of the Western world. As well as this, the book is frequently studied at the college and high school levels as an introductory text to ancient mythology and beliefs.

After the introduction, the book is divided into seven sections. The first describes the (Greek) gods of Olympus and the Greek creation myth. The second section discusses Greek myths involving love and adventure, including the tales of Cupid and Psyche and Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece. The third section discusses the stories of pre-Trojan War heroes such as Perseus, Theseus, Hercules (Heracles), and Atalanta. The fourth section is concerned with the Trojan War and its heroes, including Odysseus and Aeneas. The fifth section discusses three significant families in Greek mythology: the House of Atreus, the royal house of Thebes, and the royal house of Athens. The sixth section details several less well-known stories from Greek and Roman mythology, and the seventh and final section discusses Norse mythology.

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