Thoroughly revised and expanded, The Facts On File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Second Edition provides a detailed overview of approximately 3,000 myths and legends from around the world and throughout the ages. The diverse group of myths and legends covered includes everything from Aesop's fables to the myths of Micronesia to the Viking gods and goddesses to the stories of the ancient Greeks and Romans that form the basis of Western lore. This extensive survey of myths, legends, and fables offers readers concise entries that explain, define, and place in context the most important characters, places, stories, and objects of world myth and legend. Engaging entries succeed in passing on some of the alluring qualities of the original stories, while at the same time providing critically important insight into the meaning of specific elements from them. The comprehensive nature of the revisions to this edition adds to its already strong reputation. With assistance from a team of scholars, James R. Dow has revised and updated the entire text and added 100 new entries.