Page:Greek and Roman Mythology.djvu/7

 PREFACE In adapting Standing's Griechische and Romische Mythologie to the needs of American students, two aims have been kept steadily in view : first, that the genesis and development of the myths should be clearly set forth ; secondly, that the text should be supplemented by a generous supply of references to some of the most useful literary passages illustrative of the subjects in hand. Therein lie whatever claims this little book has to a place among the various attractive text-books that have recently appeared upon the same subject. It is not a dictionary, perhaps not even a reference book ; but rather an attempt to furnish within small compass a con- sistent and systematic exposition of the development of mythology and religion among the Greeks and Romans. With a view to the practical convenience of all classes of students likely to use the book, it has seemed wisest as a rule to spell the proper names in the way in which they commonly occur in English literature and in clas- iii 126130