Classical Myth (5th Edition) | 
 enlarge | Author: Barry B. Powell
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Category: Book
List Price: $83.80
Buy Used: $44.70
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New (20) Used (66) from $44.70
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 26163
Media: Paperback
Edition: 5
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 752
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 9 x 7 x 1.3
ISBN: 0131962949
Dewey Decimal Number: 292.13
EAN: 9780131962941
ASIN: 0131962949
Publication Date: May 27, 2006
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Condition: Not Pretty. Pages Pulled from Spine;Some Highlighting/Bent Pages;Frayed Corners/Bent Cover. SKU:15309219 All orders shipped within 24 hours. 14 day money back guarantee
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Book Description
Comprehensive and scholarly, this well-designed book presents Greek and Roman myths in a lively and easy-to-read manner. It features fresh translations, numerous illustrations (ancient and modern) of classical myths and legends, and commentary that emphasizes the anthropological, historical, religious, sociological, and economic contexts in which the myths were told. This book covers myths of creation, myths of fertility, myths of the Olympians, Heracles, Oedipus, Trojan War, Roman Myth, Odysseus, and more. It also introduces students to classic literary works by Homer, Hesiod, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Ovid. For anyone interested in learning more about the creation and modern interpretation of classical myths.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Classical Myth, Fourth Edition November 10, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent text. Covers the classical gods and heros, primarily of the Greeks, with a appreciable amount of depth and scope. The text also includes a rather large quantity of primary source information, great for a more complete view of the myth. A little pricey for what is essentially a paperback book due to several sections of colored pictures. On the upside, they are nice pictures.
 No longer useful March 5, 2006
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I have taught mythology at the university level at various insitutions for the more than a decade now. Indeed, when I first began was when the first edition of Powell came out. At that time it was quite useful as his prose is modestly engaging, and the large swathes of original material and the occasional illustrations he includes is quite useful.
However, as he has progressed through four editions and doubled his price (!), he has become less useful. To his credit, the online materials are good for the novice, and, as I previously mentioned, there is a fair amount of translated primary text. However, his deficits now outweigh his benefits. When Powell summarizes plots of texts in the middle of a longer excerpt, often his interpretation of events occludes what actually happens. As he has progressed through various editions, his own ideas are now more confident in his eyes and some of his more controvertial claims which in the first edition were presented as "some scholars believe [historical situation] may have contributed to [textual effect]" are now presented as "[historical situation] caused [textual effect]." As another reader notes, some of his historical contextualizations are either suspect or absent. Lastly, the cost is prohibitive.
Now that I have learned a fifth edition is soon to be out and my students will no longer be able to purchase used copies, I have declined to order his book for this fall and don't foresee returning to him in the future.
 Doesnt deal with myths' deeper historical origins March 2, 2005
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I can only say, not being a classicist, but one who did study under the esteemed Prof. Edward O'Neil of Univ. of Southern California, that I find it curious that this author does not deal much with the theories of migrations (Achaeans, Dorians later) into Greece that explain origins and approximate dates of certain myths. For example the inclusion of chthonic deities/mother earth deities being early myths of Minoan influences, the patriarchal - sky-god myths relating to Achaeans and their influence by migration on the Greek mainland. I find H.J. Rose better at this for sure, as is O'Neil's work on Library of Apollodorus. Man, Myth and Monument,is also an excellent guide for anyone who wants to follow this fascinating aspect of myth.
Great Composition November 8, 2004
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Powell has done it again in his fourth edition. Though there are minor changes whcih he made in the newest edition, this book offers great details about ancient gods and heroes - putting the reader's mind into the ancient mythical land. The books also has actual passages from various ancient writers and also included more background stories to help the readers understand the story in a better perspective. His writing is simple and honest. Its worth your money if you are an avid mythology reader.
 Good Place to Start May 10, 2001
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
While this book is a good place to start, Powell leaves the impression that myth was developed in an orderly and defined manner. Often, the versions alluded to and used are entirely mainstream and completely neglect other, sometimes more interesting versions. Would certainly like to see more emphasis placed on naming sources in the footnotes to facilitate further research by students. Certainly a good textbook to begin introducing myth with, but to provide an adequate, college level course requires supplementation with many other texts and lengthy discussions on how the text is just one author's interpretation.
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