Gods and Heroes of the Greeks: The Library of Apollodorus trans. by Michael Simpson (review)

GODS AND HEROES OF THE GREEKS: THE LIBRARY OF APOLLODORUS Translated with introduction and notes by MICHAEL SIMPSON Drawings by LEONARD BASKIN (Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1976, 312 pages. Hardbound $15.00, paperbound $5.95.) "Since Apollodorus is our only primary source for some Greek myths," Simpson writes, "he should be available ... in a current style and in a relatively inexpensive form." He now is, in this useful if imperfect volume. Simpson provides a brief introduction to "mythology" with numerous references . His sympathies for structural and semiological approaches are clear. He eschews distinctions that a historical mythologist would impose; he stresses the contingent context that governs each new articulation of a myth. For Simpson "Greek literature and Greek mythology are a unity, insparable," part of a continuum that includes even modern literature. His translation of the lst-century A.D. Library seeks to render it "in the American idiom." He succeeds rather well. Outright mistranslations are few, but there are curious over-translations; an innocent expression, rightly translated by Frazer "not welcomed by his wife" (II.3.8), becomes "his wife was not responding to his attempt to make love" (p. 75). Notes outbulk text nearly two to one and "aim to serve as a source ofinformation about Greek mythology and Greek and Latin literature." They contain much of great value, yet often seem haphazard in what and whom they acknowledge. Errors and important omissions quite infest his discussions of Attic tragedy, as well as modern literature. LkIe slips annoy: the religious historian was Nilsson, not "Nillson"; Periander was tyrant, not "king", of Corinth. The very word "myth" suffers abuse. Nevertheless lots here is very worth having. Discussions of myths' psychological interpretation, "fluid" development, and modern imaginative uses are thoughtful and generally judicious. Variety of material makes most ofthe longer notes readable. The format is pleasing, division into 13 chapters shrewd. Unfortunately lacking are map(s) and genealogical tables. A graver defect is an inadequate index that covers text only, not notes. VICTOR CASTELLANI· ?VICTOR CASTELLANI chairs the Classical Studies and Comparative Literature Programs at the University of Denver. ROCKT MOUNTAIN REVIEW ...