Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality

Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality by Lewis Richard Farnell is a comprehensive study of the ancient Greek beliefs and practices surrounding hero worship and the concept of immortality. The book explores the various ways in which the Greeks honored and revered their heroes, including through the establishment of cults and the construction of elaborate monuments and shrines. Farnell delves into the origins of hero worship in Greek mythology and the ways in which it evolved over time, as well as the role of heroes in Greek religion and society. Additionally, the book examines the Greek understanding of immortality, including the belief in an afterlife and the concept of apotheosis, or the transformation of mortals into gods. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including literary texts, archaeological evidence, and inscriptions, Greek Hero Cults and Ideas of Immortality offers a fascinating and in-depth exploration of one of the most enduring aspects of ancient Greek culture.1921. The Gifford Lectures Delivered in the University of St. Andrews. Contents: General Survey of the Prehistoric Period; Heroes and Heroines of Divine or Daimoniac Origin; Sacral Heroes and Heroines; Functional Heroes and Sonder-Gotter; Origin and Diffusion of the Cult of Herakles; The Functions of Herakles; The Ritual of Herakles; The Dioskouroi; The Leukippides; The Cult of Asklepios; The Cults of Epic Heroes; The Cults of Ancestors; Cults of Real Persons in the Historic Period; and Individual Belief in Immortality: the Mysteries and Orphism; and References for Hero-Cults. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.