Ancient religions and Mythologies Books

Trade Review'We can be very grateful to Vermaseren and the publishers for this beautiful, inquiring and well-produced book.' Bibliotheca orientalis, 1971. '...un très beau travail...' Jean-Claude Richard, Latomus, 1973.

Read more less

Trade Review'...bildet dieses Buch für die zukünftige Forschung ein unentbehrliches Arbeitsinstrument." – K. Parlasca, in: Orientalistische Literaturzeitung, 1981 "...les deux volumes de M. Malaise renouvellent considérablement notre connaissance de l'isiasme en Italie." – Robert Turcan, in: Revue de l'Histoire des Religions, 1974 "...detailed and scholarly...a fine piece of research...a penetrating study of an important aspect of one of the most influential mystery religions in the ancient world." – Ruth Isley Hicks, in: American Journal of Archaeology, 1974

Read more less

Trade Review"De cette texte révélateur, Grandejean nous offre une présentation. digne de son intérêt." – Robert Turcan, in: Revue des Etudes Anciennes, 1977 "Unser Dank gebührt dem Autor sowohl für die sorgfältige Edition und den ausführlichen Kommentar als auch für seine Schlußfolgerungen, die auf viele Fragen neues Licht werfen, auch wenn manches immer noch Sub iudice bleibt." – Ladislav Vidnan, in: Gnomon, 1978

Read more less

Trade Review'...étude spéciale et approfondie...' L. Catiglione, Acta Archaelogica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 1977.

Read more less

Trade Review'...die Antikenwissenschaft, die allgemeine Archäologie und die Ägyptologie kann die Autor dankbar sein.' Vilmos Wessetzky, Wiener Zeitschrift fur die kunde des Morgenlandes, 1982.

Read more less

Trade Review"Rarement hommage aura été plus réussi..." – Jean Ch. Balty, in: l'Antiquite Classique, 1983

Read more less

Trade Review'L'étude de M. Darmon frappe par sa qualité et sa profondeur...' Pauline Donceel-Voûte, Bibliotheca Orientalis, 1988. '...ein reichhaltiges, gut geschriebenes und illustriertes Werk, das unsere Kenntnisse über die spätrömische Mosaikkunst in der Provinz Africa mit einem faszinierenden neuen und wichtigen Material bereichert.' T. Nagy, Acta Archaeologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 1985.

Read more less

Trade Review'...breaks new ground in the fields of Greek and Roman religion and Roman army studies.' Bibliographie zur Symbolik, Ikonographie und Mythologie, 15, 1982. 'This brief study makes some genuine contributions...' Robert A. Wild, S.J., The Second Century, 1982.

Read more less

Trade Review'Pelletier gives an excellent summary of the history of the site...' R.M. Ogilvie, The Classical Review, 1980. 'Une étude précise, bien documentée et mise en perspective historique.' R. Chevallier, Latomus, 1982. 'Cet ouvrage est une très précieuse contribution à l'histoire et à l'arcbéologie du culte de Cybèle.' L. Castiglione, Acta Archaeologica Academiae Scientiarium Hungaricae, 1982.

Read more less

Trade Review'Elle nous donne, en tout cas, sur le site un bon dossier archéologique.' Robert Turcan, Revue des Études Anciennes, 1980.

Read more less

Trade Review'L'ouvrage de M. de Vos est présenté de façon méticuleuse, for bien documenté et très richement illustré de planches souvent excellentes, dont plusieurs en couleurs.’ Michel Malaise, Latomus, 1981. 'Mariette de Vos has begun to fill the art-historical gap with a study of the Egyptianising paintings and mosaics of this period.' Helen Whitehouse, Journal of Roman Studies, 1982.

Read more less

Trade Review'Der neue Band stellt einen bedeutsamen Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Religions-, Kunst- und Sozialgeschichte der römischen Kaiserzeit im unteren Donaubecken dar.' Radislav Hošek, Eirene, 1987. 'The corpus is certainly a useful contribution to our understanding of the Thracian Horseman... providing access to many inscriptions...which are otherwise difficult to trace.' A.G. Poulter, Journal of Roman Studies, 1988.

Read more less

Trade Review'...ein erfreulicher Gewinn für die reiche Literatur bezüglich des thrakischen Reiterkults.' T. Nagy, Acta Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 1983.

Read more less

Trade Review"On connaît la manière de R. Turcan: une information impeccable, un style clair, concis, animé d'un verve volontiers sceptique." – J.-P. Callu, in: Revue des Études Latines, 1984

Read more less

Trade Review'...a thorough review of what is known about the cult of the Samothracian deities…' R.A. Tomlinson, Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1988.

Read more less

Trade Review'The eighty "Sabazius hands" here catalogued are striking indeed and deserve to be studied in their own right.' '...offers rich primary data for a new and more careful generation of scholars.' A.T. Kraabel, Religious Studies Review, 1984. 'Es ist kein Zufall, daß dieser von M.J. Vermaseren vorgelegte Band unter Mitwirkung der Städte Leiden, Amsterdam und Utrecht fertiggestellt wurde, die zu den traditionellen Hochburgen der Orientalistik und Religionsgeschichte gehören.' V. Wessetzky, Orientalistische Literaturzeitung, 1987.

Read more less

Trade Review'...scholars in the field will find this collection a useful tool...' Nancy H. Ramage, Classical World, 1987.

Read more less

Trade Review'Avec la découverte récente du mithréum de Septeuil (Oise), c'est un des plus riches apports de ces dernières années à notre connaissance de la religion mithriaque.' Henri Lavagne, Revue de l'Histoire des Religions, 1989.

Read more less

Trade Review'...a decisive gain is the more detailed discussion now offered by an expert observer...' J. Gwyn Griffiths, The Classical Review, 1988.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the first of a two-volume collection of studies in inconsistencies in Greek and Roman religion. Their common aim is to argue for the historical relevance of various types of ambiguity and dissonance. The first volume focuses on the central paradoxes in ancient henotheism. The term 'henotheism' -- a modern formation after the stereotyped acclamation: #EIS O QEOS# ("one is the god"), common to early Christianity and contemporaneous paganism -- denotes the specific devotion to one particular god without denying the existence of, or even cultic attention to, other gods. After its prime in the twenties and thirties of this century the term fell into disuse. Nonetheless, the notion of henotheism represents one of the most remarkable and significant shifts in Graeco-Roman religion and hence deserves fresh reconsideration.Trade Review"...richly informative and stimulating." – J. Gwyn Griffiths, in: The Classical Review, 1992 "...démonstration rigoureuse, servie par une connaissance approfondie des sources et des théories modernes..." – Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge, in: L'Antiquité Classique, 1993 "...fast immer sehr überzeugend und oft überraschend..." – Fritz Graf, in: SO Jhrg., 1993 "A work to be viewed with some scepticism and considerable admiration." – Richard Hamilton, in: Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 1991 "This is a book to be savoured at leisure." – in: Greece and Rome, 1993 "...this perceptive and innovative scholar's rich historical work…" – Luther H. Martin, in: Greco-Roman World, 1992 "These studies are indeed impressive and profound." – Hans Dieter Betz, in: The Journal of Religion "Scholars will find in these two volumes new subjects for thought and a new approach to old subjects." – Joseph S. Pendergast, in: Religious Studies Review, 1994

Read more less

Book SynopsisDas Buch behandelt den Isiskult während der römischen Kaiserzeit, wie er in zahlreichen Darstellungen der ägyptischen Göttin und solcher ihr angeglichener Frauen zum Ausdruck kommt und somit zwei Problemkreise, nämlich die Stellung jener Frauen im Kult sowie die damit verbundene Frage nach Sinn und Bedeutung der für die Angleichung verbindlichen Isisbilder. Das Buch bietet mit einem Katalog und einem volständigen Abbildungsteil zugleich eine ikonographische und ikonologische Untersuchung des Themas. This book treats the cult of Isis in the Roman imperial era, as it comes to expression in the many representations made of the Egyptian goddess, and of the portrayal of mortal women who are made to resemble Isis in features, clothing and attributes. Thus, two issues are dealt with: the position of these women in the cult on the one hand and the related question of the meaning and interpretation of the images of Isis used in such identification with mortals on the other hand. With a catalogue and a complete set of illustrations this book offers also an iconographic and an iconological examination of the theme.Trade Review'Cet ouvrage constitue une importante contribution à l'iconographie isiaque et un précieux recueil de documents.' Michel Malaise, Kernos, 1992. 'His Catalogue and corpus of plates are without doubt of enduring worth...' J. Gwyn Griffiths, The Classical Review, 1992. '...rendra d'indiscutables services.' Jean-Ch. Balty, L'Antiquité Classique, 1993. '...clearly written, well-organized...' Mark T. Gustafson, Religious Studies Review, 1993. '...on ne peut que féliciter l'auteur pour sa recherche méthodique et pour sa remise - très utile - des conceptions...' Tran Tam Tinh, Bonner Jahrbücher, 1993.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOpen worship of the Roman Emperor with sacrifice, priests, altar and temple was in theory contrary to official policy in Rome. The cult of the living emperor by less direct means, however, might be achieved in various ways: the offering of cult to his companion genius or the divine numen immanent within him; the elevation of the Imperial house to a level at which it became godlike; the formal placing of the emperor on a par with the gods by making dedications to him ut deo; the conversion of divinities of every kind into Augustan gods that served as the Emperor's helper and protector; the creation of Augustan Blessings and Virtues that personified the qualities and benefactions of the emperor. Volume II, 2 completes the preliminary set of studies with a select bibliography, indexes and corrigenda to Vols. I, 1-2 and II, 1.Trade Review"...l'oeuvre de D. Fishwick représente une contribution remarquable de clarté, d'analyse et de synthèse : espérons une poursuite régulière de sa publication." – Marie-Thérèse Raepsaet-Charlier, in: l'Antiquité Classique, 1994

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis work discusses the decline of Greek religion and the christianization of town and countryside in the eastern Roman Empire between the death of Julian the Apostate and the laws of Justinian the Great against paganism, c. 370-529. It examines such questions as the effect of the laws against sacrifice and sorcery, temple conversions, the degradation of pagan gods into daimones, the christianization of rite, and the social, political and economic background of conversion to Christianity. Several local contexts are examined in great detail: Gaza, Athens, Alexandria, Aphrodisias, central Asia Minor, northern Syria, the Nile basin, and the province of Arabia. It lays particular emphasis on the criticism of epigraphy, legal evidence, and hagiographic texts, and traces the demographic growth of Christianity and the chronology of this process in select local contexts. It also seeks to understand the behavioral patterns of conversion.Trade Review'...most impressive...' Greece & Rome, 1993. '...important ouvrage... L'enquête de l'A. fera date: ses volumes seront désormais une référence indispensable pour tous ceux qui étudient l'histoire de cette époque, tout particulièrement les historiens du christianisme.' P. Maraval, Revue d'Histoire et de Philosophie Religieuses, 1995. '...livre fort intéressant et bien construit...' U. Zanetti, Analecta Bollandiana, 1995.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis work discusses the decline of Greek religion and the christianization of town and countryside in the eastern Roman Empire between the death of Julian the Apostate and the laws of Justinian the Great against paganism, c. 370-529. It examines such questions as the effect of the laws against sacrifice and sorcery, temple conversions, the degradation of pagan gods into daimones, the christianization of rite, and the social, political and economic background of conversion to Christianity. Several local contexts are examined in great detail: Gaza, Athens, Alexandria, Aphrodisias, central Asia Minor, northern Syria, the Nile basin, and the province of Arabia. It lays particular emphasis on the criticism of epigraphy, legal evidence, and hagiographic texts, and traces the demographic growth of Christianity and the chronology of this process in select local contexts. It also seeks to understand the behavioral patterns of conversion.Trade Review'No one can fail to be most impressed by the sheer accumulation of evidence, both textual and epigraphical.' Greece & Rome, 1994. 'Son ouvrage est appelé à rendre d'éminents services et forme une contribution décisive en matière d'histoire des religions.' J. Schamp, Comptes Rendus, 1996.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe formula 'for the life of' is often found in votive inscriptions, cast in Aramaic and other languages, which originate from the Syrian-Mesopotamian desert and adjacent areas and which roughly date from the first three centuries A.D. They belong to objects like statues and altars that usually were erected in temples and other structures with a ritual or sacred function. The inscriptions establish a relationship between the dedicator and one or more beneficiaries, those persons for whose life the dedication was made. Since the social context evidently bears on both the meaning of the inscriptions as well as the status of the dedications, this volume deals with the nature of the relationships and the socio-religious function the dedications perform.Trade Review'This is a fine book, full of fact and intelligent interpretation.' John F. Healey, JSS, 1999.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe history of the Nabataean Kingdom of Hellenistic-Roman times, centred on Petra, is now well known, but until the publication of this book, no monograph has been devoted to Nabataean religion, known to us principally from inscriptions in Nabataean Aramaic, iconography, archaeology and Greek literary texts. After a critical survey of the sources, the author analyses systematically the information on the individual gods worshipped by the Nabataeans, including a detailed illustrated account of temples and iconography. A further major section discusses religious themes: aniconism, henotheism, death-cult and the divinisation of kings. In a final chapter, Nabataean religion is considered in relation to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The book will be of particular interest to historians of religion in the Graeco-Roman Near East and to Semitic epigraphists.Trade Review'Healy, has composed a well-organized synopsis of what has been wirtten about Nabatean religion so far.’ Lucinda Dirven, Bibliotheca Orientalis, 2002. This welcome study finally fills a gap by supplying for the first time a monograph devoted to the Nabataean religion.’ L.L. Grabbe, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2002. The book under review is compulsory (and rewarding) reading for everyone involved, or thinking of becoming involved, in the study of the Nabateans, or of the Pre-islamic Arabs in general, or even more generally, of 'dead' or 'semi-dead' religions. - E.A. Knauf, Orientalistische Literaturzeigung 103, 2008

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume deals with temple ritual texts from ancient Mesopotamia, in particular from the cities Uruk and Babylon. Key question is whether they are a reliable source of information on the cult practices in Uruk and Babylon during the Hellenistic period. In the book an extensive description is presented of the festivals, rituals, ceremonies and offerings in Hellenistic Mesopotamia. The appendix consists of a selection of the most important temple ritual texts, which are presented in transliteration, translation and with philological comments. Four plates with so far unpublished text fragments are also included. The evidence clearly shows how important the public cults were in Hellenistic times, at least until the first century B.C., and how active the Mesopotamians were in matters of religion and cult during this period.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor the Greek, Dionysos was a very important god: for individuals as well as for the community as a whole. As there are only a few written sources dating from before the 5th Century BC the many images of Dionysos on Greek vases may well offer a genuine approach to the meaning given by the ancient viewer. This book explores the earliest images followed by those on small vases for private use, on mixing bowls of the symposion, on amphoras, on later drinking cups and on archaic sculptures. It gives an overview of Dionysian iconography of the 5th Century BC as well as an overall interpretation. The reader will learn why this god of vine and wine, of theatre and ecstasy, was so important for humans and why he played a key role in the life of the polis. Dionysos war für die Griechen ein Gott von zentraler Bedeutung, sowohl im Leben des Einzelnen wie der Gemeinschaft. Weil vor dem 5. Jahrhundert v.Chr. sehr wenige Schriftzeugnisse existieren, können uns die vielen Darstellungen des Dionysos auf griechischen Vasen am ehesten einen Zugang zu dem vermitteln, was der antike Mensch über ihn dachte. Analysiert werden zuerst die frühesten Bilder, dann jene auf kleinen individuell gebrauchten Vasen, auf grossen, beim Symposion verwendeten Mischgefässen, auf Amphoren, auf den späteren Trinkschalen und schliesslich in der archaischen Skulptur. Das Buch schliesst mit einem Ausblick auf die Bildgeschichte des Dionysos im 5. Jahrhundert v.Chr. und einer umfassenden Deutung. Diese Interpretation hilft zu verstehen, warum Dionysos, der Gott der Rebe und des Weins, des Theaters, der Ekstase, für den antiken Menschen so wichtig war und auch im öffentlichen Leben der klassischen Polis eine so grosse Rolle gespielt hat.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. An iconography in process An image of Dionysos from the 7th century BCE Characters of the Dionysian circle before 600 BCE Dionysian characters in the animal frieze Conclusion 2. Turning into a satyr Small vases from the first half of the 6th century BCE Corinthian unguent vases A Corinthian mule-rider Middle Corinthian synposium vases Attic Komast cups Grotesque dancers from Boeotia Attic Siana cups The C Painter The Heidelberg Painter Other Siana cups and a contemporary skyphos Laconian cups with Dionysian images Dionysian subjects in Ionian pottery Conclusion 3. Dionysos and the gods Dinoi and kraters from the first half of the 6th century BCE Early dancers and satyrs Dionysos on the dinos of Sophilos Dionysos on the François krater The procession of the gods The return of Hephaistos The Pursuit of Troilos The frieze with the mule-rider Hephaistos Other Attic dinoi and kraters Corinthian kraters Laconian symposium vases Ionian dinoi Conclusion 4. The thiasos of Dionysos Amphorae and similar vases of the 6th century BCE The thiasos and the female companions of Dionysos Prototypical women The mother of twins Ariadne? Dionysian amphorae by Lydos Dionysian amphorae by the Amasis Painter Dionysian dances Dionysos among ephebes Contemporaries of the Amasis Painter The Swing Painter The Affecter Tyrrhenian amphorae Conclusion 5. Dionysian happiness Cups and other small vases from the second half of the 6th century BCE Little Master cups The cup by the Kallis Painter and its forerunners The eye cup by Exekias The eyes The battle The inside of Exekias’ cup Dolphins, ships and the sea The vine Dionysos Cups by the Amasis Painter Phallic kylikes Figured aryballoi Attic mastoi Head-kantharoi and Ionian Little Master cups Chalcidian eye cups Conclusions 6. Dionysos in archaic Greek art: a summary A note on methodology Dionysian iconography from the late 7th century to about 500 BCE Iconography and history Dionysian conography in the first half of the 5th century BCE Dionysian figurations in archaic Greek sculpture Conclusion: Dionysos reconsidered 7. Modern mythologies: “Dionysos” versus “Apollon” Friedrich Nietzsche Apollon and Dionysos in German Classical scholarship before Nietzsche Apollon and Dionysos in Classical scholarship after Nietzsche Apollon and Dionysos today Index Museums Vases following Beazley Vases and other works following LIMC Ancient names General Modern authors Abbreviations Works cited Figures

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book deals with the making and the reuses of the divine words which were ascribed to Apollo in the first centuries of our era. This comprehensive and historical approach analyses the oracles of Apollo according to the various contexts ancient authors used to resort to the sacred words. This study of the sacred texts reveals in an original manner the cultural, political, and religious life of pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire. *** Ce livre est une étude historique de l’ensemble des oracles attribués à Apollon aux premiers siècles de notre ère. Il envisage successivement les enjeux de la production de ces textes sacrés et ceux de leur réutilisation par les auteurs païens et chrétiens.Trade ReviewWinner of the Eugène Goblet d’Alviella Prize (Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres & des Beaux-Arts de Belgique) for best book in Belgium in the field of History of Religions 1999-2004.Table of ContentsIntroduction Première partie. Paroles d’un dieu citoyen Chapitre I. Cadre institutionnel I. Institutions productrices de textes révélés A. Authenticité et attributions des textes oraculaires B. Oracles de Delphes ? C. Oracles de Didymes D. Oracles de Claros Une source exceptionnelle : les listes de délégations II. Production du texte sacré A. Inspiration divine B. Personnel oraculaire C. Emission du texte et archivage III. Clientèle des sanctuaires oraculaires A. Provenance géographique B. Origine sociale et milieu professionnel Chapitre II. S’adresser à Apollon I. Motifs de la consultation A. Contextes civiques B. Contextes privés II. Choix du sanctuaire III. Enjeux de consultation A. A l’intérieur de la cité B. Au niveau de la région C. Au niveau de l’empire IV. Conclusion Chapitre III. Discours théologiques en contextes I. Expliquer II. Prescrire A. Des rites issus d’un passé idéalisé B. Des prescriptions adaptées au présent C. Asseoir son pouvoir III. Révéler le monde divin A. Répondre à la demande B. Expression d’une théologie païenne nouvelle IV. Conclusion Les paroles d’Apollon au service de l’idéologie Chapitre IV. Des oracles pour philosophie I. Les oracles d’Apollon dans la Philosophie tirée des oracles A. Nature et objet de la Philosophie tirée des oracles B. La collection d’oracles d’Apollon de Porphyre C. Exégèse des oracles apolliniens : des doctrines et de la pratique D. De l’ascèse philosophique à la polémique chrétienne II. L’oracle d’Apollon de la Vie de Plotin A. Présentation de l’oracle B. Place et fonction de l’oracle dans la Vie de Plotin C. Origine et authenticité de l’oracle D. Commentaire de Porphyre III. Conclusion : des livres sacrés du paganisme Chapitre V. Des oracles pour pamphlet I. Introduction : critiques païennes et chrétiennes des oracles II. La critique des oracles d’Apollon par Eusèbe de Césarée A. Une vaste entreprise apologétique B. Opinion d’Eusèbe sur la mantique oraculaire C. Utilisation des oracles d’Apollon III. Conclusion Chapitre VI. Des oracles pour prophéties chrétiennes I. Révélation païenne et tradition chrétienne A. Origines judéo-hellénistiques B. Le recours à la révélation païenne chez les auteurs chrétiens C. Apollon, prophète chrétien II. Oracles apolliniens et révélation chrétienne A. Apollon, admirateur des Hébreux B. Apollon, professeur de théologie chrétienne C. Apollon messager de la victoire du christianisme III. Conclusion Conclusion Bibliographie Indices

Read more less