Overview

Heracles is the quintessential ancient Greek hero. The rich and massive tradition associated with him encompasses myths of all kinds: quest myths, monster-fights, world-foundational myths, aetiological myths, philosophical myths, allegorical myths, and more. It informs and is informed by every genre and variety of Classical literature. The figure of Heracles opens windows onto numerous aspects of ancient religion, including those of cult, syncretism, Christian reception, the relationship between gods and heroes, and the intersection of religion with politics. The Oxford Handbook of Heracles is the first large-scale guide to Heracles, his myth-cycle the Twelve Labors, and, to the pervasive impact of the hero upon Greek and Roman culture. The first half of the volume is devoted to the lucid exposition and analysis of the ancient evidence, literary and iconographic, for Heracles' life and deeds. In the second half, the Heracles tradition is analyzed from a range of thematic perspectives, including the contrasting projections of the figure across the major literary genres and in art; the ways in which Greek communities and even Roman emperors exploited the figure in the fashioning of their own identities and for political advantage; his cult in Greece and Rome and its syncretism with that of the Phoenician Melqart; and Heracles' reception in later Western tradition. Presenting, in 39 chapters, the authoritative work of international experts in a clear and well-structured format, this volume provides a convenient reference tool for scholars and offers an accessible starting-point for students.

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9780190650988

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Reviews

The Oxford Handbook of Heracles (henceforth Heracles) is a significant addition to Oxford's invaluable series of handbooks.... A handbook which promises to become a standard resource for anyone interested in Heracles, from the novice undergraduate to the advanced scholar. * Classical Journal-Online *

heracles will serve, going forward, not only as a basic starting point for any study of the ancient hero but also, prehaps, as an inspiration and model for potential Oxford handbooks on other mythological figures, such as Oedipus, Jason and Theseus. * Thomas J. Sienkewicz, Monouth College, CJ-Online * The Oxford Handbook of Heracles (henceforth Heracles) is a significant addition to Oxford's invaluable series of handbooks.... A handbook which promises to become a standard resource for anyone interested in Heracles, from the novice undergraduate to the advanced scholar. * Classical Journal-Online *

Author Information

Daniel Ogden is Professor of Ancient History at the University of Exeter. His previous books include The Werewolf in the Ancient World; Drakon: Dragon Myth and Serpent Cult in the Greek and Roman Worlds; Dragons, Serpents, and Slayers in the Classical and Early Christian Worlds: A Sourcebook ; and Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook.

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