The Greek and Roman Myths: A Guide to the Classical Stories

• Who was Pandora and what was in her famous box?
• Why is a famous brand named after the goddess Nike?
• How did Achilles get his Achilles heel?
• What exactly is a Titan?
• Why is a type of computer virus known as a Trojan horse?

The myths of ancient Greece and Rome are still a part of modern life and language. This enjoyable handy companion takes the fragments we half remember and guides us through the foundational stories of classical myth.

Philip Matyszak explains the events and introduces the major plots and characters, from the origins of the world and the labours of Hercules to the Trojan War and the voyages of Odysseus and Aeneas. He also shows how the stories have survived and so influenced later art and culture, from Renaissance painting and sculpture to modern opera, literature, film and everyday products.

Packed with intriguing facts and diverting stories, this is the ideal introduction to the myths and tales that lie at the heart of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.

Includes sections on the myths in later art, literature, language and popular culture • Illustrations from both ancient and post-classical sources