The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome.pdf

A HAND-BOOK OF MYTHOLOGY.


THE
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
OF
ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME.
BY
E. M. BERENS.
ILLUSTRATED FROM ANTIQUE SCULPTURES.

NEW YORK:
MAYNARD, MERRILL, & CO.,
43, 45 AND 47 EAST TENTH STREET.
PREFACE.

The want of an interesting work on Greek and Roman mythology, suitable for the requirements
of both boys and girls, has long been recognized by the principals of our advanced schools. The
study of the classics themselves, even where the attainments of the pupil have rendered this
feasible, has not been found altogether essful in giving to the student a clear and inct
idea of the religious beliefs of the ancients, and it has been suggested that a work which would
so deal with the subject as to render it at once interesting and instructive would be hailed as a
valuable introduction to the study of classic authors, and would be found to assist materially the
labours of both master and pupil.
In endeavouring to supply this want I have sought to place before the reader a lifelike picture of
the deities of classical times as they were conceived and worshipped by the ancients themselves,
and thereby to awaken in the minds of young students a desire to e more intimately
acquainted with the noble productions of classical antiquity.
It has been my aim to render the Legends, which form the second portion of the work, a picture,
as it were, of old Greek life; its customs, its superstitions, and its princely hospitalities, for which
reason they are given at somewhat greater length than is usual in works of the kind.
In a chapter devoted to the purpose some interesting particulars have been collected respecting
the public worship of the ancient Greeks and Romans (more especially of the former), to which
is subjoined an account of their principal festivals.
I may add that no pains have been spared in order that, without passing over details the omission
of which would have [ii]marred pleteness of