The Traveler's Key to Ancient Greece, New Edition: A Guide to Sacred Places

By Richard G. Geldard

Book Overview

The Eleusian mysteries, the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Theatre of Dionysus, the labyrinths of Knossos, the Delphic oracle---the book leads us to such sacred sites in the ancient way of spiritual pilgrimage. "The gods have not totally vacated the holy places," says Richard Geldard. "Any 'vacating' has to do with our own lack of awareness." He brings to life the mythology that shaped the brilliance of Greek architecture and art, integrating rare historical material with the most recent archeological data. The result is a specialty guidebook comprehensive enough to be the only one you pack, with commentary on: Major and lesser sites of the palace and temple cultures; Greek drama, philosophy, art, and sculpture; Sacred geometry and architecture; Gallery collections in three major museums. Whether you're an armchair or actual traveler, Traveler's Key opens access to the fabled wisdom enjoyed by pilgrims of old and to the living mythology that still has power to transform lives.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0835607844
• ISBN13: 9780835607841
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Quest Books (IL)
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The best book to take with you to Greece

If your intention in Greece is to explore the wonders of the ancients, this is the best book to take. Of the several books I had with me, it was the most complete, detailed, informative and enjoyable--it was the one I came to trust and refer to the most often. Small enough to stuff into a pocket, it allows you to sit at the sites and read while looking at the ruins. The facts and suppostions were generally supported by other sources, so being able to rely on its accuracy is another plus.

MUCH More than a mere guide book...A True Guide Book...

This book is an excellent starting point foranyone remotely interested in the ancient Greeks --not merely the most famous ones of the 6th and5th centuries B.C. Here interweave myth,mystery, knowledge, mysticism (Pythagorean andOrphic introductions), plus excellent explanationsof attributes and psychological aspects relatedto the gods. [here is a section from the "Introduction"] Each site has its "myth," a term which meansa story of the life of a place, human being, orgod. All myths have meaning, and the task hasbeen to translate the myth into the myth-languageof our own era. For the most part, the languageof our mythology is the language of psychology.And of course there are several styles of psychological language: Jungian, Freudian, Adlerian,and so on. In this case, the language goes backto Plato and has been brought to the presentidiom through the work of Paul Diel, the lateAustrian psychologist. Plato, the great voice of the journey of thehuman soul, was the first Western writer to speakof the idea of spiritual development, the ideathat a human being might lead his life in such away as to AWAKEN [my caps] within himself thedivine life. The possibility of such a discoverymakes Plato's works a psychology, or a study ofhuman behavior in the physical, intellectual,and spiritual sense. Plato was indebted to thevoices of his own culture and his predecessors inphilosophy, both Eastern and Western [Orpheus;Pythagoras]. These fragments from the past forma living mythology which still has power totransform lives. -- Richard G. Geldard.*The Traveler's Key to Ancient Greece.* (1989). * * * * * * * * *

Superbly written, flawlessly produced, highly recommended.

The Traveler's Key To Ancient Greece: A Guide To Sacred Places is the ideal guidebook for exploring sacred locations that once were home to the secret mysteries at Eleusis, the oracle at Delphi, the Labyrinths of Knossos, the vast theater and healing center at Epidauros, the perfect symmetry of the Parthenon, and more! This unique and very special travel guide offers informative and expert commentary on the Hellenic world's palace and temple cultures and sites; Greek drama, philosophy, art, and sculpture; sacred geometry and architecture; and gallery collections in three major museums. Whether you are an armchair explorer or plan to be an on-site visitor, The Traveler's Key To Ancient Greece is a compelling, informative, superbly written and flawlessly produced introduction to understanding as well as visiting these sacred sites of antiquity.