Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22381

Title

Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A hand-book of mythology designed for young students, this work offers a lifelike picture of ancient Greek and Roman deities. It balances instruction with interest, covering gods, festivals, and legends while maintaining reverence for religious systems. Ideal for introducing classic authors to beginners.

Summary up to 500 words

E. M. Berens presents a comprehensive guide to the myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome, structured into two distinct parts: Myths and Legends. The text begins by defining the nature of the gods, describing them as immortal beings who resemble humans in form and passions but are superior in strength, beauty, and mental qualifications. Dwellers on Mount Olympus, these deities personify natural forces like thunder and the sea, possessing the ability to travel instantly, assume various forms, and transform mortals. Berens explains that while these stories often exaggerate historical facts or natural phenomena, they serve as an accessible introduction to classical literature and art. The narrative traces the origin of the world from Chaos to the birth of Uranus and Gaea, followed by detailed genealogies of the Olympian, sea, and minor divinities, alongside a specific section on Roman gods and their public worship. The second part explores legendary heroes and events, including the Seven against Thebes, the tragic story of Oedipus, the exploits of the Argonauts, and the epic Trojan War. The book also covers the tragic fates of figures like Antigone, who defied royal decrees to bury her brother, and the Epigoni, descendants of the fallen heroes who eventually reclaimed Heracles' inheritance. Berens details the complex lineage of the Heraclidæ, their persecution by Eurystheus, and their eventual, hard-won return to the Peloponnesus after decades of conflict and pestilence. Throughout the work, Berens aims to render the legends a vivid picture of old Greek life, its customs, superstitions, and princely hospitality, treating the subject with reverence for every religious system. The text serves as a valuable introduction for both teachers and general readers, offering a lifelike picture of the deities as conceived by the ancients to awaken a desire for deeper acquaintance with classical antiquity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22381.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg22381.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-04 03:25 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Mythology