The books listed below constitute some of the references used in compiling this work.
They, as well as numerous other works,
contain much more detailed accounts of the gods and their divine chararacteristics than can be included herein.
Further research is recommended to the DM who wishes to augument the given information.

++ Aldington, R. et al. (translators). New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. New York: Putnam, 1968.
Budge, E. A. Wallis. The Egyptian Book of the Dead. New York: Dover, 1967. Paperback.
Bullfinch, Thomas. The Age of Fable. New York: Cromwell, 1970.
Christie, Anthony. Chinese Mythology. England: Paul Hamlyn, 1968.
Davidson, H. R. Ellis. Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. New York: Penguin Books Ltd., 1964. Paperback.
Frazer, Sir James G. The Golden Bough. New York: University Books, 1961.
Gantz, Jeffery (trans.). The Mabinogion. Middlesex, England: Penguin Books Ltd, 1977.
Hackin, J. et al. Asiatic Mythology. New York: Crescent (no date).
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1942.
Hodge, Frederick Webb. Handbook of American Indians. New York: Rowan & Littlefield, 1965 (2 volumes). <> (part 2)
Kramer, Samuel N. (ed.). Mythologies of the Ancient World. New York: Doubleday, 1961.
++ Leach, Maria & Fried, Jerome (eds.). Funk & Wagnall's Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend. New York: Funk & Wagnall, 1972.
Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Morte d'Arthur (2 volumes). England: Penguin Books, 1978. Paperback. <(full text), (illustrated version, by Aubrey Beardsley), (audiobook)>
Nicholson, Irene. Mexican and Central American Mythology. England: Paul Hamlyn, 1967.
Schwab, Gustav. Gods and Heroes. New York: Pantheon, 1946.
Squire, Charles. Celtic Myth and Legend. Hollywood: Newcastle Press, 1975. Paperback.
Tripp, Edward. Meridian Handbook of Classical Mythology. New York: Crowell, 1970.
Stormbringer, White Wolf and Elric!; Chaosium, Inc., P.O. Box 6302, Albany, CA 94706.

<see melnibone.htm for the linked Elric ref>

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Gandalf Istari wrote:
Mr. Gygax,

...

I'm wondering about how influenced you feel you've been by the ancient world, as compared to, say, the medieval world. Its obvious from the inclusion of things into the game like the Greek and Egyptian gods, as well as monsters from ancient mythology and lore, that you are knowledgable about the period. However, I've always felt that AD&D was distinctly medieval in its flavor, and so I was wondering whether the ancient world was simply a period from which you plundered monsters and gods to expand and add variety to the game, or whether you personally feel that it influenced your view of "the game" as much as the medieval period so obviously had?

I've been rereading some of the classics of late, including such epics as the Illiad and the Odyssey, so the question about how influential the ancient period has been upon you and your games came to mind. Does the medieval period hold more appeal to you than the ancient period?
 

Most of the D&D game's inspiration comes from a mix of the ancient (quasi-ancient Hyborea of Howard's Conan) and medieval (and imaginary middle ages fiction), so there's no way I can measure the relative weight of each. I read pretty well equally in both historical periods. The medieval was a less organized and more individualistic period, though, so that's why general technological and socio-cultural assumptions are set in that time...or later.

Cheers,
Gary