Based on the highly praised second edition of The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature, this is the only concise guide to ancient Greek and Roman literature available in paperback. Complete with translations of all Greek and Latin words, it is ideal for anyone interested in the classical world and its literary heritage. In addition to accounts of the lives and works of key authors, entries on important characters, plot summaries, and details of the development of such literary forms as comedy and tragedy, the Companion also offers comprehensive historical, political, social, and artistic background information.