Vatican Mythographers

The Vatican Mythographers are the unknown writers of three old Latin books about myths. These books were found together in one special book kept in the Vatican, called Vatican Reg. lat. 1401. The name "Vatican Mythographers" was used by a scholar named Angelo Mai when he shared these books with the world in the year 1831.

The first of these myth books, called the First Vatican Mythographer, is only found in that one special book. The other two myth books are found in different books, so experts talk about a Second Vatican Mythographer and a Third Vatican Mythographer. These old stories help us learn about how people long ago thought about gods and heroes.

Content

The Vatican Mythographers wrote three old books in Latin about Greek and Roman myths. These books were very important during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. People used them to learn about old stories and also to find lessons that fit with Christian beliefs.

These books were copied many times over the years. They were used by famous writers like Edith Hamilton and Robert Graves when they wrote about Greek myths. Scholars have studied these books and made new editions to help us understand them better today. The books were written between the 9th and 11th centuries, and many old copies of them still exist in libraries around the world.

iconography Middle Ages Renaissance allegorically Christianized testimonia history of ideas Georg Heinrich Bode Edith Hamilton Robert Graves Karl Kerenyi Hyginus Virgil Servius scholiasts Statius Alexander Neckam

Stories

The Vatican Mythographers are the names given to the unknown writers of three old books about myths, found together in one old book called Vatican Reg. lat. 1401.

First Vatican Mythographer

This part tells many old stories from ancient times. Some of these stories are about famous people and events, like Prometheus, the Titans, and Hercules. There are also stories about gods and goddesses, such as Neptune, Minerva, and Ceres. Each story gives a glimpse into the beliefs and tales of people long ago.

Second Vatican Mythographer

This section explains the names and roles of various gods and goddesses. It talks about Jove, Juno, Neptune, and others, describing their powers and why they are called certain names. There are also many stories about heroes and their adventures, like Theseus, Jason, and Hercules.

Third Vatican Mythographer

The last part lists the main gods and goddesses, including Saturn, Juno, Neptune, and others. It also mentions important symbols and constellations, like the Twelve Signs in the Sky. This gives a clear overview of the major figures in ancient myths.