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Explore mythology and art with information about the classic stories of heroes and gods...from the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, to the legends of the Celts. Mythography presents resources and reference materials about mythology - including recommended books, and lexicons that explain Greek, Roman, and Celtic terms.

Gardner's Art Through the Ages

This book is the classic reference for the study of art. It features a history of artists and their works, as well as lucid and engaging descriptions of the styles and periods of art history. Highly recommended for both students and scholars.

Aphrodite in Art
Aphrodite in Myth
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Penthesilea in Myth
Penthesilea was a legendary heroine in Greek mythology. In her role as queen of the Amazons, Penthesilea led her female followers into battle. But this Amazon was also a warrior herself, and she demonstrated her courage by fighting in the Trojan War. Learn why Penthesilea participated in this epic conflict between the Greeks and Trojans in the following article.

According to some ancient sources, Penthesilea was the daughter of Ares (the blood-thirsty god of war). She was a skilled warrior who fought as valiantly as any Greek hero, and indeed she proved her prowess on the battlefield on many occasions. However, it was Penthesilea's ability as a fierce fighter that got her into trouble. Apparently, the heroine accidentally killed another Amazon - Hippolyta - during a particularly brutal conflict. Penthesilea then requested that Priam, the king of Troy, purify her of this blood-guilt.

In return for this purification, Penthesilea later came to the assistance of Priam. After the death of great Trojan hero Hector, the king of Troy was without a champion - so Penthesilea joined the battle and fought on the side of the Trojans. She again demonstrated her remarkable abilities as a warrior during this brutal ordeal. In the end, however, Penthesilea was defeated by the Greek hero Achilles.

At this point, the story takes an intriguing turn. It is said that as Achilles fought with Penthesilea, he fell madly in love with the beautiful Amazon queen. As she died, Achilles was overcome with emotion. This poignant scene was a favorite subject for ancient artists (especially vase painters).

Who's Who in Classical Mythology This book is a great source for information about Greek and Roman mythology! Organized alphabetically, this who's who features information about over 1200 of the most intriguing characters from Classical myth and legend.	Bulfinch's Mythology The stories of Classical myth come to life in Bulfinch's book. This edition also features legends from other cultures.	Mythography Forums Do you have a specific question about Greek, Roman, and Celtic mythology? Then try the Mythography forum!