|
%
|
Authors
Greek / Latin
|
Works
|
Description
|
|
19%
|
Apollodorus
AD 100
|
The
Library
|
This is the most complete ancient mythographic
compilation available. After a Theogonical
introduction, Apollodorus goes through the
description of several mythological families, such
as that of Deucalion, that of Inachus, Atlas, etc.
This work, including its Epitome, covers the
Trojan War, the Returns of the Achaean leaders, and
the wanderings of Odysseus.
|
|
12%
|
Pausanias
AD 150
|
Description
of Greece
|
Mythical and historical accounts, and
description of Greek landmarks. In addition to many
tales, throne succession in several cities, and the
return of the Heraclides are described in detail.
|
|
12%
|
Hyginus
c. AD 200
|
Fabulae
|
Large mythographic compilation organized in 277
short sections, providing many interesting versions
of the myths.
|
|
Poetica
Astronomica
|
Astronomical manual based on Greek mythological
accounts.
|
|
8%
|
Homer
c. 750 BC
|
The
Iliad
|
Epic poem.
|
|
The
Odyssey
|
Epic poem.
|
|
Homeric
Hymns
|
Invocations to the gods
|
|
6%
|
Ovid
43 BC-AD 17
|
Metamorphoses
|
A Poem in 15 books collecting important myths.
|
|
Fasti
|
A poem in six books, having by subject the Roman
calendar, in which relevant traditions (mythical,
historical and astronomical) are described
|
|
Heroides
|
Twenty-one imaginary letters of heroines to
their lovers.
|
|
5%
|
Nonnos
5th c. AD
|
Dionysiaca
|
Epic in 48 books narrating the adventures of
Dionysus in India.
|
|
4.6%
|
Hesiod
c. 700 BC
|
Theogony
|
Poem describing the origin of the gods. The most
complete version on the subject.
|
|
Catalogues
|
Poem enumerating heroines, their adventures and
descendants.
|
|
Shield
of Heracles
|
Poem telling some adventures of Heracles.
|
|
Works
and Days
|
Didactic poem with pratical instructions and
ethical maxims.
|
|
4.4%
|
Diodorus
Siculus
80-20 BC
|
The
Library of History
|
History of the world with many myths recorded.
|
|
4%
|
Virgil
70-19 BC
|
The
Aeneid
|
Epic poem relating the wanderings of Aeneas and
his arrival to Italy.
|
|
Georgics
|
Didactic poem dealing with rural gods, and
serving as a manual of farming as well.
|
|
3.3%
|
Quintus
Smyrnaeus
AD 400
|
The
Fall of Troy
|
Epic poem, completing the story of the Trojan
War.
|
|
2.6%
|
Statius
AD 48-96
|
Thebaid
|
Epic poem about the war of the Seven Against
Thebes.
|
|
Achilleid
|
Epic poem (unfinished) covering the first years
of Achilles, his education and his mother's fears.
|
|
2%
|
Valerius
Flaccus
AD 80
|
Argonautica
|
Unfinished epic poem in eight books on the
expedition of the Argonauts. It tells the story up
to the escape of the Argonauts from Colchis and the
murder of Medea's brother Apsyrtus.
|
|
2%
|
Antoninus
Liberalis
AD 100
|
Metamorphoses
|
Series of mythological tales (41 fables of
metamorphoses).
|
|
2%
|
Strabo
64 BC-AD 25
|
Geography
|
Extensive work dealing with geographical and
historical subjects, and describing customs and
traditions as well.
|
|
1.8%
|
Apollonius
Rhodius
260 BC
|
Argonautica
|
Epic poem in four books, telling the story of
Jason and the Argonauts.
|
|
1.5%
|
Euripides
485-406 BC
|
Several plays
|
See list of plays in Table
II or at
Bibliography, Ancient
Authors.
|
|
1.5%
|
Dionysius of
Halicarnassus
60 BC-AD 7
|
The
Roman Antiquities
|
Work dealing with the history of Rome from the
mythical beginnings to the First Punic War.
|
|
1.3%
|
Plutarch
AD 45-120
|
Parallel
Lives:
|
Fifty biographies of historical and also
mythical characters. See which lives are
mythologically relevant at
Bibliography, Ancient
Authors.
|
|
Moralia
(Greek and Roman Parallel Stories)
|
The Moralia are treatises on various
subjects. They include not few mythical accounts.
|
|
Moralia
(Greek Questions)
|
|
1%
|
Herodotus
484-430 BC
|
History
|
'The father of history' includes several myths
in his historical accounts.
|
|
1%
|
Pindar
518-438 BC
|
Odes
|
Poems dedicated to athletic victors with
multiple mythical references.
|
|
1%
|
Parthenius
1st C. BC
|
Love
Romances
|
Collection of prose outlines of love stories.
|
|
0.5%
|
Aeschylus
525-456 BC
|
Several plays
|
See list of plays in Table
II or at
Bibliography, Ancient
Authors.
|
|
0.5%
|
Sophocles
495-406 BC
|
Several plays
|
See list of plays in Table
II or at
Bibliography, Ancient
Authors.
|
|
0.4%
|
Propertius
born 50 BC
|
Elegies
|
Love poems with mythical references.
|
|
0.4%
|
[Orpheus]
|
Argonautica Orphica
|
Another major account on the expedition of the
Argonauts.
|
|
0.3%
|
Tryphiodorus
AD 450
|
The
Taking of Ilios
|
Epic poem. Almost seven hundred remaining lines
deal with the events between the episode of the
Wooden Horse and the sacrifice of Polyxena.
|
|
0.3%
|
Callimachus
284 BC
|
Hymns
|
In several hymns to the gods the poet informs on
other characters as well.
|
|
0.3%
|
Cicero
106-43 BC
|
The
Nature of the Gods
|
Several accounts on the gods presented with the
purpose of refuting the Greek traditional tales.
|
|
0.3%
|
Plato
427-347 BC
|
Critias
|
Source of the myth of Atlantis.
|
|
Phaedrus
|
Offspring of Achelous.
|
|
The
Republic
|
Information about parentage of the MOERAE.
Information about Ajax the Salaminian.
|
|
Timaeus
|
Information about the offspring of Oceanus.
|
|
0.1%
|
Colluthus
AD 500
|
The
Rape of Helen
|
Epic poem giving an account of the Judgement of
Paris and his seduction of Helen.
|
|
0.08%
|
Aratus of Soli
315-245 BC
|
Phaenomena
|
Didactic poem dealing with astronomy.
|
|
0.06%
|
Longus
AD 200
|
Daphnis
and Chloe
|
Novel depicting a pastoral love story.
|
|
0.05%
|
Manilius
AD 10
|
Astronomica
|
Latin didactic poem on celestial phenomena.
|
|
0.04%
|
Aristophanes
c. 447-386 BC
|
The
Birds
|
Contains a cosmogonic exposition explaining
humorously the origin of birds, but the exposition
itself has mythological interest.
|
|
0.01%
|
Apuleius
AD 160
|
The
Golden Ass
|
A Latin novel. The only known source for the
myth of Eros and Psyche.
|