Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds
Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds

Author: Daniel Ogden

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13: 9780195151237

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In a culture where the supernatural possessed an immediacy now strange to us, magic was of great importance both in the literary mythic tradition and in ritual practice. In this book, Daniel Ogden presents 300 texts in new translations, along with brief but explicit commentaries. Authors include the well known (Sophocles, Herodotus, Plato, Aristotle, Virgil, Pliny) and the less familiar, and extend across the whole of Graeco-Roman antiquity.

Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World
Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World

Author: Matthew W Dickie

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2003-09-02

Total Pages: 379

ISBN-13: 1134533365

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This study is the first to assemble the evidence for the existence of sorcerors in the ancient world; it also addresses the question of their identity and social origins. The resulting investigation takes us to the underside of Greek and Roman society, into a world of wandering holy men and women, conjurors and wonder-workers, and into the lives of prostitutes, procuresses, charioteers and theatrical performers. This fascinating reconstruction of the careers of witches and sorcerors allows us to see into previously inaccessible areas of Greco-Roman life. Compelling for both its detail and clarity, and with an extraordinarily revealing breadth of evidence employed, it will be an essential resource for anyone studying ancient magic.

Mithraic Societies: From Brotherhood to Religion's Adversary - (b&w)
Mithraic Societies: From Brotherhood to Religion's Adversary - (b&w)

Author: Abolala Soudavar

Publisher: Lulu.com

Published: 2014-02-10

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13: 1312106069

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Although by its title, this book seems to be about a specialized topic, the spread of Mithraic societies and its avatars, in time and geographical expanse, much enhances its relevancy. From Roman legionaries to chivalry orders, from dervish circles to guild organizations, and from Freemasons to French revolutionaries, the hierarchy of Mithraic societies, their initiation rites, and their oaths of secrecy, provided a model for brotherhood organization that was efficient, but also flexible; they could adapt their philosophy to the prevailing politico-religion conditions of the day, because they did not worship any particular god, but could also be comrades in arms with nascent religious movements, such as with Christianity. Mithra was the initial guarantor of their oath, and if need be it could be replaced by Jesus, Allah or any other divinity. Their "religion" was their brotherhood, and as such they usually provided a counter-balance to the power elite, and had the potential to become politically active.

European Paganism
European Paganism

Author: Ken Dowden

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-05-13

Total Pages: 391

ISBN-13: 1134810229

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European Paganism provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of ancient pagan religions throughout the European continent. Before there where Christians, the peoples of Europe were pagans. Were they bloodthirsty savages hanging human offerings from trees? Were they happy ecologists, valuing the unpolluted rivers and mountains? In European Paganism Ken Dowden outlines and analyses the diverse aspects of pagan ritual and culture from human sacrifice to pilgrimage lunar festivals and tree worship. It includes: a 'timelines' chart to aid with chronology many quotations from ancient and modern sources translated from the original language where necessary, to make them accessible a comprehensive bibliography and guide to further reading

Religious Context of Early Christianity
Religious Context of Early Christianity

Author: Hans-Josef Klauck

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 2003-05-01

Total Pages: 548

ISBN-13: 9780567089434

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This is a uniquely well-informed and comprehensive guide to the world of religion in the Graeco-Roman environment of early Christianity. Drawing on the most up-to-date scholarship, the volume paints a carefully nuanced portrait of the Christians' religious context. Besides describing ordinary domestic and civic religion and popular belief (including astrology, divination and 'magic'), there is extended discussion of mystery cults, ruler and emperor cults, the religious dimensions of philosophy, and Gnosticism. A valuable textbook for advanced students, as well as an authoritative reference work for scholars.

Sex in the Ancient World from A to Z
Sex in the Ancient World from A to Z

Author: John Younger

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2004-10-07

Total Pages: 362

ISBN-13: 1134547021

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Comprehensive, reliable and eye-opening, this A to Z examines the sexual practices, expressions and attitudes of the Greeks and Romans, from Catullus and Caligula, to orgies and obscenity to pederasty and prostitution.