Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology

Jul 2, 2026

This volume offers English translations of two foundational handbooks of Greek mythology, Apollodorus’ Bibliotheke (Library) and Hyginus’ Fabulae (Myths), presented together for broad accessibility. The editors emphasize accuracy and clarity while acknowledging unresolved interpretive issues in the original Greek and Latin. A General Introduction situates mythography’s development, followed by author-specific introductions, with indexes and endnotes designed to support readers and students across general and academic settings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages325

Reading Time8 h 21 min

Preface

General Introduction: What Is Mythography?

Introduction to Apollodorus’ Bibliotheke (Library)

Introduction to Hyginus’ Fabulae (Myths)

Maps

Genealogical Charts

Apollodorus’ Library

Book 1: The Gods and the Lineage of Deucalion

Book 2: The Lineage of Inachos

Book 3: The Lineage of Agenor

Epitome: Events and Genealogies from Theseus to the End of the Trojan War

Hyginus’ Fabulae

Endnotes to Apollodorus’ Library

Endnotes to Hyginus’ Fabulae

Appendix: Excerpt from Pseudo-Dositheus

Indexes

APOLLODORUS’ LIBRARY AND HYGINUS’ FABULAE TWO HANDBOOKS OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY Translated, with Introductions, by R . SCOTT SMITH and STEPHEN M . TRZASKOMA Apollodorus’ Library and Hyginus’ Fabulae Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology Apollodorus’ Library and Hyginus’ Fabulae Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology Translated, with Introductions, by R. Scott Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. Indianapolis/Cambridge Copyright © 2007 by Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America 10 09 08 2 3 4 5 6 7 For further information, please address Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. P. O. Box 44937 Indianapolis, IN 46244-0937 [www.hackettpublishing.com](www.hackettpublishing.com) Cover design by Abigail Coyle Interior design by Elizabeth Wilson Composition by Agnew’s, Inc. Printed at Edwards Brothers, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Apollodorus. [Bibliotheca. English] Apollodorus’ Library. And, Hyginus’ Fabulae / translated, with introductions by R. Scott Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma. [p. cm](p. cm). Includes bibliographical references and indexes. “Two handbooks of Greek mythology.” ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-821-6 (cloth) ISBN-13: 978-0-87220-820-9 (pbk.) 1. Mythology, Greek—Early works to 1800. I. Smith, R. Scott,1971–. II. Trzaskoma, Stephen M. III. Hyginus. Fabulae. English. IV. Title. PA3870.A55A285 2007 292.1′3 dc22 2006031184 The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,ANSI Z39.48–1984 . ∞ CONTENTS Preface vii General Introduction:What Is Mythography? x Introduction to Apollodorus’ Bibliotheke (Library) xxix Introduction to Hyginus’ Fabulae (Myths) xlii Maps lvi Genealogical Charts lix Apollodorus’ Library 1 Book 1: The Gods and the Lineage of Deucalion 1 Book 2: The Lineage ofInachos 20 Book 3: The Lineage of Agenor 44 Epitome: Events and Genealogies from Theseus to the End of the Trojan War 72 Hyginus’ Fabulae 95 Endnotes to Apollodorus’ Library 183 Endnotes to Hyginus’ Fabulae 188 Appendix: Excerpt from Pseudo-Dositheus 193 General Index 196 Index of Peoples and Geographic Locations 239 Index of Authors and Works Cited by Apollodorus and Hyginus 246 GUILLELMO CALDERO QUI NOS MULTA ETVIR ET PER LIBROS ADHUC DOCET. PREFACE Apollodorus and Hyginus have both been translated into English before, but never in their entirety in the same volume. Their appearance here seemed a logical nextstep after we had already produced translations ofthe bulk of these two authors for the Anthology of Classical Myth (2004).That book was designed to bring as many interesting primary sources before new audiences as possible; this one is designed to make two of the most important of those sources even more accessible by providing up-to-date and high-quality translations in an inexpensive volume. The Bibliotheke (Library) and Fabulae (Myths) ought to be read more widely both by those with a general interest in the subject and students approaching it in an academic environment. The only other English translation of Hyginus’ Fabulae, that of Grant (1960), has some ﬂaws and is out of print; that was our primary impetus. Apollodorus’ Bibliotheke, though already published in several translations, seemed a natural partner. In our English translations we have aimed above all at accuracy and clarity, although “accuracy” and “clarity” must be qualiﬁed. In some places there are serious questions as to what the Greek and Latin of Apollodorus and Hyginus mean or imply, but we hope that we have not intentionally rendered anything perfectly intelligible into gibberish or made our authors say things they never wrote. Neither of the works in question is of interest for its literary qualities, and we have not attempted to transform them in

FAQs

What is the purpose of combining Apollodorus’ Library and Hyginus’ Fabulae in one volume?

The editors present both works together to provide up-to-date, high-quality English translations in an accessible and inexpensive format, especially for wider readership and students in academic settings.

How do the translations handle accuracy and clarity in the original Greek and Latin?

They prioritize accuracy and clarity, with qualifications where meaning or implications are uncertain, aiming not to force unintelligible phrasing or invent statements not found in the originals.

What additional scholarly materials are included to help readers navigate the myths?

The volume includes a General Introduction, author-specific introductions, footnotes that clarify content, endnotes for technical textual matters, and full indexes for names, places, and cited authors and works.

Jul 2, 2026

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