Religions of the Ancient Greeks

This 1999 book describes the religious life of the Greeks from the archaic to the Roman periods.

Simon Price (Author)

9780521382014, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 June 1999

232 pages, 36 b/w illus.
23.6 x 15.7 x 2.3 cm, 0.51 kg

' … the only brief, up-to-date treatment of Greek religion from a sociological viewpoint widespread in the United States and England, and thus broadens a literature dominated by Continental scholars with different agenda.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This 1999 book is about the religious life of the Greeks from the eighth century BC to the fifth century AD, looked at in the context of a variety of different cities and periods. Simon Price does not describe some abstract and self-contained system of religion or myths but examines local practices and ideas in the light of general Greek ideas, relating them for example, to gender roles and to cultural and political life (including Attic tragedy and the trial of Socrates). He also lays emphasis on the reactions to Greek religions of ancient thinkers - Greek, Roman, Jewish and Christian. The evidence drawn on is of all kinds: literary texts, which are translated throughout; inscriptions, including an appendix of newly translated Greek inscriptions; and archaeology, which is highlighted in the numerous illustrations.

1. Introduction
2. Gods, myths and festivals
3. Religious places
4. Authority, control and crisis
5. Girls and boys, women and men
6. Elective cults
7. Greek thinkers
8. Reactions to Greek religions.

Subject Areas: Ancient religions & mythologies [HRKP], General & world history [HBG]