Mythology

Internet Resources

Hermes, Divine messenger, god of the Internet

Here are some useful links (and collections of links) for the study of Mythology: Theoi: This is the most useful site I have found for the study of Greek mythology.  Its best feature is that it collects primary sources for the deities and heroes it features, so that without crawling through oceans of texts, you have these resources right at hand.  It also gives descriptions of the authors so you can learn their dates and locale and assess their agenda or point of view.  It also provides many excellent visual images. The Greek Mythology Link: This is a "collection of the Greek myths being written and published on line by Carlos Parada. The Greek Mythology Link contains texts, images, tables and maps. The mythical accounts are based exclusively on classical sources.” This is a vast site with encyclopedic entries on mythological characters.  It isa wonderful research resource! Classical Myth: The Ancient Sources: This site is maintained by Laurel Bowman, a professor at the University of Victoria.   It is a very helpful collection of images and primary source texts about ancient Greek gods and heroes, focused around individual figures.  So, if you are researching Apollo (for example), you can call up primary source descriptions of him and his exploits, together with images from ancient art.  A great research tool! The Perseus Project:  This University maintained site is an excellent starting point for any investigation of the Greek and Roman world.  It has a library of texts and images, as well as many other features helpful for research (and some even entertaining). Search tips The Internet Classics Archive: A searchable collection of primary sources maintained by MIT.

The Beazley Archive: A searchable compendium of vase paintings, organized by subject -- ideal for research into visual portrayals of myths.  You can search by word or word combinations, as well as browse through a listing of pre-searched mythological topics.   Search tips

Greco-Roman Myth: A hodgepodge of interesting sites linked from About.com.  You may also want to try their links for Egyptian myth, Gilgamesh, and Norse myth.

Folklore and Mythology: Electronic Texts: An excellent collection of primary sources, organized along similar themes, maintained by a professor at the University of Pittsburgh.  Many cultures are included (as well as some urban legends).  Some stories are organized according to their "tale type" ( a categorization system folklorists use to document similar stories from different places).  A great research tool.

Encyclopedia Mythica: Contains articles on various aspects of world mythology; winner of the Britannica Internet Guide Award.

Diotima: A searchable resource for issues relating to women in antiquity -- excellent.

Librarian's Choice: Mythology: The Digital Librarian chooses the best myth-related websites available.

Mythology on the Ancient Worldwide Web: This site provides a collection of links to various sites on different kinds of mythology.  There are some interesting things here, but be advised that it is a real jumble -- you find scholarly sites and wackos side by side (gee, just like the real world . . .)  If you use these in research, check the credentials of each site before you take its word as law.  But there are also some gems . . .

Classics and Mediterranean Archeology: Another University maintained website, with a mindboggling array of sites devoted to Classical and Mediterranean archeology.  There are some serious scholarly tools here!  A great resource for serious research.

The Ancient Greek World: A student-oriented, visually appealing site from the University of Pennsylvania, with very helpful, illustrated cultural notes.

Herakles: A webpage created in Fall 2000 by a team of UNC-W students; it offers an annotated bibliography of articles on Herakles, as well as interesting perspectives for research.

Search tips for using the Beazley Archive: (1) From their home page, click on Pottery.  (2) Click General Database Search.  (3) Click Pictures.  (4) search the list of gods, heroes  (5) For more detail, click on  Heroes and Myths.  At the bottom of the page is a "full list" link that gives you a detailed alphabetical listing of mythological subjects.  Note:  You may also use the advanced database search.  You have to register, but registration is free and easy.  But in all likelihood, the general database search will meet your needs.

Search tips for using Perseus:  (1) At the top left of the home page is a Classics link; click on that.  (2) Type your search term in the search window in the upper right side of the screen.  (3) Results will be delivered organized by type of resource.  Sort through them as you will!  Many of the vase paintings have detailed description and commentary, available by clicking on the vase number.  (Some do not.)