Dying for the Gods: Human Sacrifice in Iron Age & Roman Europe

by Miranda Aldhouse-Green

Book Overview

Sacrifice, like death, is one of the great taboos of modern society. The notion that human sacrifice, and even cannibalism, could be considered a most holy act is almost inconceivable. Yet the evidence for human sacrifice in northwest Europe, deriving from both archaeology and the testimony of Classical writers of the first centuries BC and AD, has to be confronted. Professor Green puts forward some reasons for ritual murder and shows how the multiple deposits of bog-bodies at sites like Tollund and Lindow illustrate the importance of place in the sacrificial rite. She also highlights the essential role of the priesthood in sacrificial murder.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0752425285
• ISBN13: 9780752425283
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Tempus
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.9" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Dying for the Gods

This is a textbook for a class. The book was in excellent shape and was delivered quickly.

Highly recommended!

This book is an in-depth study of the ultimate religious ritual. For the student of history or anthropology--or for someone addicted to the bizarre--I can think of no better text.