Religions of the Ancient Greeks

by Simon Price

Book Overview

This 1999 book is about the religious life of the Greeks from the eighth century BC to the fifth century AD, looked at in the context of a variety of different cities and periods. Simon Price does not describe some abstract and self-contained system of religion or myths but examines local practices and ideas in the light of general Greek ideas, relating them for example, to gender roles and to cultural and political life (including Attic tragedy and the trial of Socrates). He also lays emphasis on the reactions to Greek religions of ancient thinkers - Greek, Roman, Jewish and Christian. The evidence drawn on is of all kinds: literary texts, which are translated throughout; inscriptions, including an appendix of newly translated Greek inscriptions; and archaeology, which is highlighted in the numerous illustrations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521388678
• ISBN13: 9780521388672
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Nice, concise introduction

First, this is not the comprehensive study of the subject that Burkert's work is. If you are looking for a comprehensive look at the subject, "Greek Religion" by Walter Burkert is the book to get. However, this book offers an interesting set of topical studies which have added to my understanding of the topic. Price's viewpoint is quite useful in addition to any other books on the topic. Material in the book includes an introduction to myths and festivals and to our source material in this area, a discussion of social control and Greek religion, gender roles in Greek religion and how this differed in Roman religion, and a look at how Greek religion was perceived by other groups (Romans, Christians, Jews, etc). Each of these studies adds to the field and is not a mere rehash of what I have read elsewhere. I would recommend this book along with "Greek Religion" by Walter Burkert and "From Religion to Philosophy" by F. M. Cornford.