Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable

by Thomas Bulfinch

"Bulfinch's Mythology: The Age of Fable" by Thomas Bulfinch is a collection published in 1867. This work retells classical myths, Arthurian legends, and medieval romances for English-speaking readers without knowledge of Latin or Greek. Bulfinch weaves together ancient tales with quotations from contemporary poets, creating a bridge between distant mythology and nineteenth-century literature. His accessible retellings—drawn primarily from Ovid but adapted to Victorian sensibilities—dominated American classical education for nearly a century, helping general readers comprehend the mythological references pervading English literature and polite conversation.