The myths of creation: The gods. Interpretation and definition of classical mythology ; Appendix to Chapter 1: Sources for classical mythology ; Historical background of Greek mythology ; Myths of creation ; Additional reading: Hesiod and the muses (Theogony, 1-115) ; Zeus' rise to power: the creation of mortals ; Additional reading: Parallels in myths of Greece and the ancient Near East ; The twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, and their children ; The nature of the gods ; Poseidon, sea deities, group divinities, and monsters ; Athena ; Aphrodite and Eros ; Artemis ; Additional reading: Selections from Euripides' Hippolytus ; Apollo ; Additional reading: The Homeric hymn to Pythian Apollo ; Hermes ; Dionysus, Pan, Echo, and Narcissus ; Demeter and the Eleusinian mysteries ; Views of the afterlife: the realm of Hades ; Orpheus and Orphism: mystery religions in Roman times.
The Greek sagas: Greek local legends. The Theban saga ; The Mycenaean saga ; Additional reading: Orestes and the three Electras ; The Trojan saga and the Iliad ; The returns and the Odyssey ; Perseus and the legends of Argos ; Heracles ; Theseus and the legends of Attica ; Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts ; Additional reading: Jason and Medea in Euripides ; Myths of local heroes and heroines.
The nature of Roman mythology. Roman mythology and saga.
The survival of classical mythology. Classical mythology in literature and art ; Classical mythology in music, dance, and film.
