The Religion of Ancient Greece

The Religion of Ancient Greece is a comprehensive and scholarly exploration of the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Greeks. Written by Jane Ellen Harrison, a pioneering scholar of Greek religion, the book delves into the myths, rituals, and cults that shaped the Greek world from the Bronze Age to the Hellenistic period. Harrison's approach is both historical and anthropological, drawing on a wide range of sources including ancient texts, archaeological evidence, and comparative religion. She examines the role of the gods and goddesses in Greek society, the importance of sacrifice and ritual, and the relationship between religion and politics. The book is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of Greek religion. Part One explores the nature of the gods and the myths that surrounded them, from the Olympian pantheon to the lesser-known deities of local cults. Part Two examines the rituals and festivals that were central to Greek religious life, including the Eleusinian Mysteries and the cult of Dionysus. Part Three looks at the broader cultural and social context of Greek religion, including its relationship to philosophy, art, and literature. Throughout the book, Harrison brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her subject, offering a nuanced and compelling portrait of ancient Greek religion. The Religion of Ancient Greece remains a classic work of scholarship and an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of religion, mythology, or ancient Greece.1905. In the Greek sense this booklet is a historia, an inquiry into the nature of Greek religion; an attempt to see from where it came and how it proliferated; how it resembles and how it differs from other religions. It is also intended to ask, and if possible, answer the question: What in Greek religion is characteristically Greek? Contents: Mythology; Ritual; and The Mysteries. See the other works 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.