ABSTRACT
A classical Greek and Roman context for the story of Harry Potter is first hinted at in the opening pages of the first volume, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Philosopher’s Stone) with the introduction of Albus (Latin for “white”) Dumbledore, then in chapter 3 with the mention of Hagrid’s Christian name, Rubeus (Latin for “reddish”). On Harry’s first train journey to school he learns the name of an unpleasant fellow student, Draco (Latin for snake or dragon, from the Greek δρα´κων). Readers encounter centaurs derived from Greek mythology who live in the Forbidden Forest alongside unicorns derived from mediaeval bestiaries. Harry’s quest in Philosopher’s Stone leads him to meet the menacing Fluffy, a half-comic version of the three-headed dog, Cerberus, who guards the entrance to the classical underworld. Fluffy’s classical provenance is fleetingly confirmed when Hagrid admits that the dog was sold to him by a “Greek chappie I met in the pub las’ year” (141). With the exception of Fluffy, it is mediaeval and Renaissance mythic material that Rowling most fully utilizes in Philosopher’s Stone, such as the lore of the unicorn and the art of alchemy.
