He wished to turn everything into gold

Well, that didn't work out very well, did it!

Mythologica
An illustrated encyclopaedia of gods, monsters and mortals from ancient Greece

This is a fabulous new book and could be an excellent gift for a family (buy it now whilst it is still in the huge, sumptuous, hardback format). The author is Steve Kershaw, who is a classical scholar from Oxford University and an expert in Greek Mythology (I can vouch for that as he happens to be the tutor on the course I have been working with for the past few weeks.) The text will be accurate, but is written in a straightforward, accessible manner. Illustrated by artist Victoria Topping, the visual portrayal of each figure is astonishing, electrifying. Combining photography, painting and cut-paper collage, the illustrations perfectly express the blending of human and fantastic elements from which mythical beings are made. The whole is a book of wonder, with stories and pictures for adults and children to ponder on for a long time. 

Superb. 

(I bought it as a gift for the family, but have just ordered another one as I need one here!)