Paganism in the Roman Empire

by Ramsay MacMullen

Book Overview

"MacMullen...has published several books in recent years which establish him, rightfully, as a leading social historian of the Roman Empire. The current volume exhibits many of the characteristics of its predecessors: the presentation of novel, revisionist points of view...; discrete set pieces of trenchant argument which do not necessarily conform to the boundaries of traditional history; and an impressive, authoritative, and up-to-date documentation,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B001RLUDE4
• ISBN13: 9780300029840
• Release Date: September 1983
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A CLASSIC

Paganism in the Roman Empire is a classic on the subject. The author probes the psyche of the ancients in an attempt to discover their inner motivations, desires, and aspirations as they sought enlightment and religious meaning in the various cults that spread through the Empire. He also tells us what role the traditional religion of the gods played in the lives of Roman citizens. This is an excellent scholarly work that is a must for anyone seeking to understand ancient religion.