This glossary of roughly 180 terms includes art terms and translations of many Italian words and phrases used in The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone. A list of characters both in order of appearance, and alphabetical by common name, is provided to assist in keeping track of the many people Michelangelo encountered in his long life. An introductory essay, covering calendars, the cultural setting (art, science, religion), and a broader look at Christianity and elements of the Catholic structure. provides the historical and religious context for the story. To accommodate the different editions of The Agony and the Ecstasy, words are listed in the order they appear in the book, with an alphabetical index in the back.