This is one of a series of 11 Handbooks of World Mythology published by ABC‐Clio. Other titles cover Arab, Celtic, Norse (RR 2002/388) and even Japanese mythology. This particular title is a very accessible introduction to the Classical World – of Ancient Greece and Rome – and its mythology. Hansen introduces the reader not only to the mythology of this period, but also to its peoples and its literature. The Handbook should help all its readers expand their knowledge of the mythological characters that populate the Classical World as well as the literature for which it is so well known.
Divided into four parts, the Handbook has an introduction of some 59 pages! This is followed by a second part, essentially an annotated timeline, entitled Time: What Happens in Classical Mythology. Part Three, Deities, Themes and Concepts, provides encyclopedic type entries describing the deities, themes and concepts common to Classical mythology. Finally, a fourth part, Annotated Print and Nonprint Resources, is an annotated booklist, albeit for texts from the Classical World.
Hansen uses the preface to introduce readers to the Handbook, explaining that he has differed from the normal style of works on Classical mythology by exploring not only the characters from the mythology but also the world in which it was situated. He believes that the Handbook should be not only a useful introduction to Classical mythology but also a supplementary text for students of classics who may be reading other modern works. Certainly parts three and four would act as a useful supplement to other textbooks and a quick reference resource.
The introduction is ideal for any persons who have not previously studied the Classical World, or even for those whose knowledge of it is scarce. Hansen provides a considerable amount of detail, about the world in which the classical myths were created and set, providing a very useful grounding to the remainder of the Handbook. The introduction puts the myths into perspective, makes them appear to be realistic and helps the reader to understand why and how such myths originated. The purpose of many myths is to explain the way in which the world works, and Hansen helps the reader to remember that when the myths were created and the ancient texts written the world was a far simpler place and people looked to their beliefs, and faiths (if that is how they can be described) to explain the way in which the world functioned.
The introduction is divided into logical sub‐sections, beginning with basic concepts, followed by a consideration of the growth of classical mythology. Here Hansen considers the different periods of the ancient world from the collapse of the Mycenaean civilisation around 1200BC through to the emergence of Christianity, perhaps the crucial deathblow to Classical mythology. He then considers the places and characters that make up the mythology before looking at the peculiarities of the narrative. A very full set of notes is then followed by part two of the book looking at the movement of time in mythology. On reaching part three the reader should have gained a full understanding of when, why and how classical mythology was written, the purpose it served and the way in which it related to the world. Part three can then be dipped into. Arranged in an encyclopedic format, this provides considerable detail about the gods themselves as well as many of the themes and concepts that are to be found in the classical literature. Finally, part four contains an excellent and fully annotated bibliography. This is followed by a glossary of terms and a very full index.
Overall, the Handbook to Classical Mythology is an excellent reference resource that could provide an interesting and useful introduction to students of ancient history and classics as well as readers with a general interest in the period.
