Greek Religion
$ 17.97
Description
Greek Religion. The book primarily focuses on the archaic and classical epochs, detailing rituals of sacrifice and libation, and explaining Greek beliefs about purification. Burkert explores the inspiration behind the great temples at Olympia, Delphi, Delos, and the Acropolis, discussing the priesthood, sanctuary, and oracles. Walter Burkert, the most eminent living historian of ancient Greek religion, presents a definitive work on the subject in his book. Originally published in German in 1977, this essential text has been translated into English with the author's assistance. It offers a clearly structured and readable survey for both students and scholars, and is hailed as the best modern account of any polytheistic religious system. Burkert's work draws on archaeological discoveries, insights from various disciplines, and inscriptions in Linear B to reconstruct the practices and beliefs of the Minoan–Mycenaean age. The book primarily focuses on the archaic and classical epochs, detailing rituals of sacrifice and libation, and explaining Greek beliefs about purification. Burkert explores the inspiration behind the great temples at Olympia, Delphi, Delos, and the Acropolis, discussing the priesthood, sanctuary, and oracles. He gives considerable attention to individual gods, the position of heroes, and beliefs about the afterlife, using different festivals to illuminate the role of religion in city-state society. The mystery cults at Eleusis and among the followers of Bacchus and Orpheus are also examined within this context. The book concludes with an assessment of the attitudes of great classical philosophers towards religion. Burkert allows the evidence—from literature and legend, vase paintings, and archaeology—to speak for itself, elucidating the controversies surrounding its interpretation without glossing over the remaining enigmas. Throughout the text, updated notes for the English-language edition provide a wealth of further references, building a coherent picture of what is known about the religion of ancient Greece. Brand : Harvard University Press Author : Burkert Genre : History Binding : Paperback Publication Date : 1985 Edition : Reprint Pages : 512 Language : English
