The proper pronunciation of the names being important, the accent is always marked; and the illustrative quotations from the poets have been specially selected with the intention of assisting the reader in finding out the number of syllables in a name, and by this means fixing the pronunciation.
It will be seen that the compiler has not confined himself to Greek and Roman Mythology, but has included the more important of the Egyptian, Scandinavian, and Hindoo deities, references to which often occur in modern literature.
The limited space at command has made it necessary to be as concise as possible, but every name connected with Mythology, of any note at all, has, it is hoped, been included, and care has been taken to avoid repetitions as much as possible. Where two or three names occur in connection with one fable, the tale is told once, and reference is made to it under the name of the other deities concerned therein.
There are a few names inserted which, though not strictly mythological, are mentioned because it frequently happens that in the history of ancient heroes there is something fabulous in the tales told concerning them.
As to some of the gods and heroes, the Handy Classical Dictionary and Plutarch’s Lives (part of this Series of Handy Books) may be consulted with advantage for fuller information; and it is hoped that the popularity of those two books will be at least equalled by the Dictionary of Mythology.
A HANDY
DICTIONARY OF MYTHOLOGY.
A′bas, a son of Meganira, was turned into a newt, or water-lizard, for deriding the ceremonies of the Sacrifice.