Ancient Greek Religion : A Sourcebook

by Kearns, Emily

• ISBN13: 9781405149280
• ISBN10: 1405149280
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-19
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Ancient Greek Religion: Historical Sources in Translation presents a wide range of documents relating to the religious world of the ancient Greeks from the earliest surviving literature to around the end of the fourth century BCE. Presents a wide range of documents relating to the religious world of the ancient Greeks, from the earliest surviving literature to around the end of the fourth century BCE Provides extensive background information for readers with no previous knowledge of classical studies Brings together new and rare passages for comparison - with occasional new interpretations - to appeal to professionals Offers a variety of less frequently examined material and looks at familiar texts in new ways Includes the use of extensive cross-referencing to indicate the interconnectedness of different aspects of religious practice and thought Includes the most comprehensive commentary and updated passages available in a single volume

Author Biography

Emily Kearns is lecturer in Classical Languages and Literature and a Senior Research Fellow at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford. She is co-editor with Simon Price of the Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion (2003) and author of The Heroes of Attica (1989).

Table of Contents

Illustrations	p. ix
Abbreviations	p. xi
Introduction	p. 1
Gods and Religion	p. 5
About the Gods	p. 7
Other Gods; Gods and Others	p. 14
About Religion	p. 26
Mythology	p. 37
Quarrels of the Gods	p. 38
Divine-Human Sex	p. 49
Helping and Hindering Mortals	p. 62
Aetiological and Foundation Myths	p. 67
Mythology: Discussion and Treatment	p. 71
Closeness and Distance	p. 88
Prayers and Associated Offerings	p. 89
Dreams and Epiphanies	p. 94
Pollution, Death, and the Dead	p. 101
Personal Choice	p. 115
Impiety and Atheism	p. 141
Ritual Contexts	p. 151
The House and Neighbourhood	p. 152
Religious Experts and Their Crafts	p. 161
Political Life, Oaths and Curses	p. 174
War and Crists	p. 183
Sanctuaries I	p. 192
Visiting a Sanctuary	p. 195
Sacrifice	p. 212
Festivals and Calendars	p. 223
Priests	p. 244
Hymns	p. 255
Dedications	p. 264
Sanctuaries II	p. 276
Common Sanctuaries	p. 276
Oracular Sanctuaries	p. 284
Healing Cults	p. 302
Mysteries	p. 311
Founding a New Sanctuary	p. 328
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 340
Index of Passages	p. 347
General Index	p. 351
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