Subject Guides: Classical Mythology: Background Information

General Background

For general background, consult any of the standard encyclopedias (e.g., Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Americana, etc.) under "Myth" or related headings. The article "Myth and Mythology" in the Encyclopedia Britannica is particularly good, and has extensive bibliography.

Classical Mythology BL 722 .M67 1999 (and several earlier editions at the same number)
By Mark P.O. Morford and Robert J. Lenardon (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999). A good standard handbook.
Guide to Research in Classical Art and Mythology - Humanities Reference N 7760 .V3 1991
By Frances Van Keuren (Chicago: American Library Association, 1991). Good overview for doing research in the field.
Handbook of Greek Mythology - BL 781 .R65
By H.J. Rose (New York: Dutton, 1928).
Mythologies - Humanities Reference BL 311 .D513 1991
By Yves Bonnefoy (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991). 2 v. Indexed. Overview of world mythology, arranged by broad culture. Includes a good introduction to myth and to the interpretation of myth.

Brill's New Pauly Encyclopaedia of the Ancient World This link opens in a new window
Brill's New Pauly: Encyclopaedia of the Ancient World is the best encyclopedia in English for classical studies. It covers both the ancient world and the reception of classics in the modern world.

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Ausführliches Lexikon der griechischen und römischen Mythologie - Ancient Studies BL 17 .R7 1965
Hildesheim: Georg Olms, 1965. 10 v. In German
Concise Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 303 .O83 1989b
Crowell's Handbook of Classical Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 303 .T75 1970
The Dictionary of Classical Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 715 .G713 96
Dictionary of Roman Religion - Humanities Reference BL 798 .A35 1996
The Dictionary of World Myth - Humanities Reference BL 303 .D46 1995
Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities - Humanities Reference BL 782 .C67 2000
Encyclopedia of Greco-Roman Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 715 .D56 1998
Encyclopedia Mythica
Internet encyclopedia of mythology, folklore, and religion.
The Encyclopedia of Religion - Humanities Reference BL 31 .E46 1993
Available electronically via Gale Virtual Reference and in print at Hum Ref BL 31 .E46 1993. Articles with extensive bibliography.
The Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend - Humanities Reference BL 303 .M45 1987
Gods and Mortals in Classical Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 715 .G67 1973
Greek Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend - Humanities Reference BL 782 .S76x 1991
Guide to the Gods - Humanities Reference BL 473 .L43 1992
The Illustrated Dictionary of Greek and Roman Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 715 .S7 1986b
The Illustrated Who's Who in Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 303 .S46 1985
The Macmillan Illustrated Encyclopedia of Myths & Legends - Humanities Reference BL 303 .C67 1995
The Oxford Companion to World Mythology - Religion/Family History Reference BL 312 .L44 2005
Covers all aspects of mythology, including Greek and Roman. Authentication required for electronic version.
Putnam's Concise Mythological Dictionary - Humanities Reference BL 303 .K37 1990
The Reception of Myth and Mythology, ed. Maria Moog-Grünewald (Leiden: Brill, 2010) - Humanities Reference DE 5 .D4813 vol.4 (also online)
Comprehensive dictionary of Greek and Roman mythology, including modern reception of mythology.
Who's Who in Classical Mythology - Humanities Reference BL 715 .G68
Biographical guide to Greek and Roman mythology.
Women of Classical Mythology: A Biographical Dictionary by Robert E. Bell

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Subjects: Classical Studies, Languages & Literature

Classical Mythology: Background Information

General Background

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Your Librarian

Oxford Bibliographies Online