Ancient religions and Mythologies Books

Book SynopsisRevealing the origins of today’s spirituality in the Gnostic tradition.Trade ReviewA paradigm shift in our understanding of religion, breaking new ground in scholarship on Gnosticism. -- Birger A. Pearson, author of Ancient Gnosticism: Traditions and LiteratureAnyone interested in New Age spirituality in all its diversity and fullness will savor the pages of DeConick's latest masterpiece. Her portraits of ancient 'Gnostic' movements are provocative and compelling; finding connections between these ancient worldviews and our own through popular culture and movies is a stroke of absolute genius. -- Nicola Denzey Lewis, author of Introduction to Gnosticism: Hidden Voices, Ancient WorldsDeConick has produced a fascinating, provocative, and readable interpretation of the Gnostic and Gnosticism. She emphasizes the transgressive nature of Gnostic spirituality, which confronted typical ancient spiritualities that made human beings subservient to the gods. Her book is a brave new salvo in the ongoing Gnostic Wars. -- Brent Landau, author of Revelation of the Magi: The Lost Tale of the Wise Men's Journey to BethlehemScholarship on the histories of Gnosticism, esotericism, and mysticism has long glowed at the radioactive core of the comparative study of religion. April D. DeConick's work shines in this lineage. She demonstrates in rich detail how a new spiritual orientation that looks to a transcendent hidden God and engages in a radical criticism of ecclesial religion was first articulated in the ancient period and then resonated through the centuries to the present day, where it can best be seen in contemporary popular culture, film, and New Age thought, revelation, and experience. Enter the Gnostic New Age. -- Jeffrey J. Kripal, author of The Serpent's Gift: Gnostic Reflections on the Study of ReligionDeConick offers a valuable corrective to the recent reluctance of many scholars to use the term Gnosticism. For her, Gnosticism is not so much an identifiable religion as it is a form of late-antique spirituality, an attempt to consciously realize that the essential human self is nothing less than the supreme divinity's very own life essence lying dormant and unrecognized within the core human self, waiting to be awakened and reunite with its divine source. DeConick illustrates this spirituality as analogous to various modern New Age movements reflected in contemporary literature and cinema. -- John D. Turner, coauthor of Plato's Parmenides and Its Heritage, vol. 1: History and Interpretation from the Old Academy to Later Platonism and GnosticismDeConick has forcefully and elegantly thrown herself into the current scholarly debate on the Gnostics. In a book that is both rich in historical detail and passionate for deeper understanding, she argues not only that Gnostic spirituality provided a transformative and liberating experience for ancient devotees but also, even more, that it can challenge and subvert the views of religious questers of the present, illuminating the modern search for spiritual truth. -- Bart Ehrman, author of Jesus Before the Gospels: How the Earliest Christians Remembered, Changed, and Invented Their Stories of the SaviorA readable and engaging overview of ancient Gnostic beliefs and practices (in all their wild diversity) and a clear, meaningful guide for making sense of the often-chaotic source materials. . . . [The Gnostic New Age] is sure to become a reference point for scholarly debate. * Choice *DeConick’s work is carefully researched, convincingly argued, and refreshingly accessible. * Reading Religion *The indisputable merit of DeConick’s approach is that it allows us to grasp shifts that have been taking place in the articulations of gnosticism over long periods of time. -- Fryderyk Kwiatkowski * Gnosis: Journal of Gnostic Studies *In this engaging and provacative book, April D. DeConick enters the continuing discussion of how to define and interpret Gnosticism. -- David Brakke * Journal of Religion *The author has performed a great service by showing the historical and continuing role of transgressive spirituality based on personal experience and representing a massive Gnostic awakening in our time. * Paradigm Explorer *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. The Matrix of Ancient Spirituality2. The Gnostic True Man3. Superpowers and Monsters4. Paul and Gnostic Dogma5. John and the Dark Cosmos6. Gnostic Altered States7. Hell Walks and Star Treks8. Spiritual Avatars9. The Pi of Politics10. Pleasantville Religions11. Gnosticism Out on a LimbBibliographyEnglish Translation of Gnostic SourcesFilmographyIndex

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Book SynopsisAncient Egyptians held a rich and complex vision of the afterlife and codified their beliefs in books that were to be discovered more than two millennia later in royal tombs. Erik Hornung, the world's leading authority on these religious texts...Trade ReviewIt is a fortunate circumstance that Eric Hornung... has rendered the invaluable service of producing a complete guide and manual to the texts... It now appears in an admirable English translation by David Lorton. -- Leo Depuydt, Brown University * Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt *

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Book SynopsisWith practical tips for incorporating Pagan spirituality into every aspect of life, this title teaches readers how to: have a meaningful and holistic Pagan practice by following seven simple steps; follow a sacred calendar customized to your beliefs, lifestyle, and environment; and make daily activities sacred with quick and easy rituals.

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Book SynopsisCicero's philosophical works are now exciting renewed interest, in part because he provides vital evidence of the views of the (largely lost) Greek philosophers of the Hellenistic age, and partly because of the light he casts on the intellectual life of first century Rome. This edition uses the 1997 Clarendon text by the acclaimed translator P.G. Walsh.Trade ReviewThe translation is both lively and accurate; the introduction is judicious and informative. The notes are especially strong on the identification of the many historical references in the work. * Phronesis *

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Book SynopsisAs long as we have been human, we have been mythmakers. In A Short History of Myth, Karen Armstrong holds up the mirror of mythology to show us the history of ourselves, and embarks on a journey that begins at a Neanderthal graveside and ends buried in the heart of the modern novel. Surprising, powerful and profound, A Short History of Myth examines the world's most ancient art form - the making and telling of stories - and why we still need it.The Myths series brings together some of the world's finest writers, each of whom has retold a myth in a contemporary and memorable way. Authors in the series include Karen Armstrong, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, David Grossman, Natsuo Kirino, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Pullman, Ali Smith and Jeanette Winterson.Trade ReviewElegantly argued and consistently thought-provoking * * Telegraph * *Witty, informative and contemplative * * New York Times * *Remarkable * * The Times * *What Armstrong does in her skid over the millennia is make comparisons, connections and contrasts in a way that cannot fail to enlighten the general reader . . . Myths are narratives: as she eloquently says, we shouldn't be done with them yet -- NICHOLAS LEZARD * * Guardian * *Valiant and readable . . . clearly and concisely written * * Independent * *With characteristic incisiveness, Armstrong explores the development of myth from prehistory to the present day * * Daily Mail * *Brilliant . . . Succinct and thoughtfully elucidated * * Elle * *Karen Armstrong is a genius -- AN WILSONKaren Armstrong is one of our most perceptive and thoughtful writers on religion -- JOHN GRAYOne of the handful of wise and supremely intelligent commentators on religion -- ALAIN DE BOTTON

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of BookAuthority’s Three Best New Robotics Audiobooks To Read in 2019"

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Book SynopsisFrom `A was an apple-pie' to `Yankee Doodle came to town', this classic dictionary brings together over 500 nursery rhymes, songs, nonsense jingles, lullabies, and rhyming alphabets traditionally handed on to young children. Each item comes with a unique set of notes recording its origins, publishing history, literary associations, variations, parodies, and parallels in other languages. This second edition has been revised throughout to incorporate the results of recent bibliographical scholarship, and includes a new essay on the singing tradition of nursery rhymes by Cecily Raysor Hancock. The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes remains the standard work on the subject, for scholars, parents, and children alike.Table of ContentsPREFACE; PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS; ABBREVIATIONS; INTRODUCTION; NURSERY RHYMES ARRANGED A-Z; INDEX OF NOTABLE FIGURES ASSOCIATED WITH NURSERY RHYMES; INDEX OF FIRST LINES

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Book SynopsisIn less than fifty-three years, Rome subjected most of the known world to its rule. Written by a team of specialist scholars, this book traces the rise of Rome from its origins as a cluster of villages to the foundation of the Empire and its consolidation in the first two centuries CE. It includes chapters on social and political history, the Emperors, art and architecture, and the works of the leading Roman poets, historians, and philosophers.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition From the reviews of The Oxford History of the Classical World: 'the book is truly excellent...the standard of the contributions is extraordinarily high' * Observer *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. Early Rome and Italy ; 2. The Expansion of Rome ; 3. The First Roman Literature ; 4. Cicero and Rome ; 5. The Poets of the Late Republic ; 6. The Founding of the Empire ; 7. The Arts of Government ; 8. Augustan Poetry and Society ; 9. Virgil ; 10. Roman Historians ; 11. The Arts of Prose: The Early Empire ; 12. Silver Latin Poetry and the Latin Novel ; 13. Later Philosophy ; 14. The Arts of Living ; 15. Roman Life and Society ; 16. Roman Art and Architecture ; 17. Envoi: On Taking Leave of Antiquity ; Tables of Events ; Index

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Book SynopsisMedusa, literally, petrifies: her face turned the ancients to stone. For Perseus and his patriarchal culture she was a dangerous female monster that had to be destroyed; for Dante she was the erotic power that could destroy men; Freud saw in her hair a nest of terrifying penises signaling castration. Yet in our time Medusa's reputation has improved: feminists see her as a noble victim of the patriarchy, and the designer Versace celebrates the lure of her mysterious face in a logo which stares at us from his ads for men's underwear, haute couture and exotic dinner-ware. In our modern culture she is once again a power-player demanding to be recognized; Medusa, it seems, still has the power to transfix us. Medusa: In the Mirror of Time explores how and why the mythical figure of the gorgon has become one of the most important and enduring ideas throughout human history. This book represents Medusa's biography, searching for the origins of the myth in cultures more ancient than Classical Greece. Ultimately it shows the Medusa myth to be a cultural dream, which continues to develop and change with our times. At the same time it explores what the changing Medusa myth reveals about our culture, and ourselves.Table of ContentsPreface I The Myth II Medusa's Lineage III Medusa in the Middle Ages and Renaissance IV Medusa in the Romantic and Victorian Ages V Medusa in the Age or Realism VI The Modern Intellectual Medusa VII The Feminist Medusa VIII Medusa as a Contemporary Icon IX A Critique of the Commentaries X Myth as Dream XI Dream Touchstones XII Conclusion: Who is Medusa? Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisGods, Heroes and Monsters retells the ancient stories from around the world, which have been passed down by generation after generation of storytellers, each bringing a clearer understanding of life’s biggest questions.Since the dawn of communication, humankind has looked around itself and used myths and legends to make sense of the world. Imaginative tales of goddesses, heroes, villains and beasts bring understanding to the biggest questions in life: Who made the world? What happens when we die? Where did we come from? How should we live our lives?Gods, Heroes and Monsters invites you to take your place at the campfire that’s been glowing since the first tale was told. Featuring myths and legends from around the world, discover the fascinating variety – and several surprising similarities – of the stories that have been shared for millennia, from one person to another, one lesson at a time.Discover ancient stories on love, death, monsters and spirits and listen to tales of love, revenge and war between the pantheon of gods. Hear the tales of ordinary men and women who have stepped up and overcome life-threatening challenges, from Mulan to Hercules.

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Book SynopsisTales of the werewolf are well established as a sub-strand of the popular horror genre; less widely known is how far back in time their provenance lies. This is the first book in any language devoted to the werewolf tales that survive from antiquity, exploring their place alongside witches, ghosts, demons, and soul-flyers in a shared story-world.Trade ReviewOgden sets out to prove that, in the ancient world, werewolves "inhabited the same conceptual space...as sorcerers, witches, and ghosts," and succeeds admirably. * Debbie Felton, Religious Studies Review *Ogden characteristically writes with verve, clarity, independent-mindedness and wit, and always displays an impressive breadth and depth of learning - grounded in a genuinely, not just superficially, multilingual study of previous scholarship-any reader who opens the present work can expect a treat. * Richard Buxton, GNOMON *Summing up, the importance of this work is undeniable: The Werewolf in the Ancient World is destined to become the reference treatise on lycanthropy in antiquity, and it certainly has what it takes to be so - not least, the author's familiarity with scholarly literature in languages other than English. * Tommaso Braccini, Universita di Siena, ARYS: Antiquity, Religions and Societies *This book is packed full of source material for those who are keen to research more deeply into the phenomenon * J M Lashley, Cambridge Core *Readers will most certainly find lasting value in the many long translations of primary source materials marshalled in The Werewolf in the Ancient World, which will provide a useful refernce for all future discussions of the ancient and mysterious versipellis. * Scott Bruce, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *The broad breadth of the book provides Ogden with a plethora of sources to consider, creating a thoroughly researched discussion and a meticulous sourcebook ... The Werewolf in the Ancient World is a rich scholarly resource ... Ogden's writing style is lively and engaging, creating an overall enjoyable and accessible read for scholars, students, and casual readers. * Julianne Rach, Ancient History Bulletin *Daniel Ogden's fascinating and wide-ranging study of the werewolf from ancient Greece to the Middle Ages also adopts the folklorist approach ... This fast-paced and well-researched book certainly has a broad appeal and will be both a classic study on the topic and a useful collection of ancient sources on werewolves. * Ivana Petrovic, Greece & Rome *The Greeks had a word for writer-collectors of mirabilia, or wonderful, incredible things; they were known as "paradoxographers." In The Werewolf in the Ancient World Ogden shows himself to be a keen contemporary paradoxographer. Combining detailed analysis of the sources with digressive reveries, he's aiming at "a comprehensive sourcebook" and has hunted across the centuries for buried items of lore, ranging from ancient Greek texts to Christian commentaries on pagan thinkers, then on to the medieval period, with busy digressions on Icelandic sagas, Grimm fairy tales, and Victorian ghost stories. In pursuit of his quarry, Ogden investigates sorcery, shapeshifting, initiation rites, mental derangement, spirit projection, and shamanic night flying, expounding with irrepressible enthusiasm on such things as werewolves' relations with ghosts, vampires, sorcerers, and witches. * Marina Warner, New York Review of Books *Quite probably the best book that will ever be written on the topic. * Gail Nina Anderson, The Fortean Times *The Werewolf in the Ancient World represents an immense work of scholarship. It should be praised for not succumbing to the unusually common problem of hyper-fixation on a particular time period, so as to make it appear like the werewolf is not a myth that's existed since antiquity. Raher than focusing only on ancient Greece and Rome, Ogden works to point out how the tropes established by Petronius in the Satyricon repeatedly pop up in medieval and Renaissance era folklore, and even early 20th century works of fiction like Bram Stoker's "Dracula's Guest" (1914) and Guy Endore's "Werewolf of Paris" (1933). * Justin Mullis, AIPT *Table of ContentsIntroduction. Petronius, Werewolves, and Folklore 1: The Curse of the Werewolf: Witches and Sorcerers 2: Werewolves, Ghosts, and the Dead 3: The Werewolf Inside, and Out 4: Werewolves and Projected Souls 5: The Demon in a Wolfskin: A Werewolf at Temesa? 6: The Werewolves of Arcadia Conclusion: The World of Ancient Werewolves and their Stories Appendix A. Homer's Circe as a Witch Appendix B. Cynocephali Appendix C. False Werewolves: Dolon and the Luperci References Index

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Book SynopsisFeaturing more than eighty rituals, spells, and daily practices, this inspiring book of witchery will help you build a haven filled with love, joy, security, and enchantment. Wherever you live, The Witch?s Home encourages you to see your residence as a magical space, from the windows and doors to the basement and bathrooms. Explore the magical potential hidden in each room. Establish a home grimoire, work with land spirits, create meaningful handcrafts, and experiment with spiritual decluttering. Learn how to repurpose items and apply the power of color to make your practice more affordable. You?ll also discover how to use traditionally non-magical items, such as takeout menus, shoes, and asphalt. With inspiration from folklore around the world, this book will help you connect with every part of your space, turning your home into a true sanctuary.

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Book SynopsisThis study is the first to assemble the evidence for the existence of sorcerors and sorceresses in the ancient world. Compelling and revealing in the breadth of evidence employed this will be an essential resource.Trade Review'Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World is the fruit of prodigious reading and profound scholarship, yet never bogs down to its own accumulation of facts.' - Los Angeles Times'An outstanding book that combines impressive scholarship with clarity and accessibility, and belongs at once in the collection of specialists and on undergraduate reading lists, perhaps even as a prescribed textbook.' - Classical Review'This is a detailed and well-presented account of the development of the concept of magic in the Greek world and a thorough discussion of the activities of those who claimed to be ... magicians.' - JACT Review'A reliable and comprehensive review of all the well-known sources.' - Book Reviews'Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World is the fruit of prodigious reading and profound scholarship, yet never bogs down to its own accumulation of facts.' - Los Angeles Times'An outstanding book that combines impressive scholarship with clarity and accessibility, and belongs at once in the collection of specialists and on undergraduate reading lists, perhaps even as a prescribed textbook.' - Classical ReviewTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 The formation and nature of the Greek concept of magic 2 Sorcerers in the fifth and fourth centuries BC 3 Sorceresses in the Athens of the fifth and fourth centuries BC 4 Sorcerers in the Greek world of the Hellenistic period (300–1BC) 5 Magic as a distinctive category in Roman thought 6 Constraints on magicians in the Late Roman Republic and under the Empire 7 Sorcerers and sorceresses in Rome in the Middle and Late Republic and under the Early Empire 8 Witches and magicians in the provinces of the Roman Empire until the time of Constantine 9 Constraints on magicians under a Christian Empire 10 Sorcerers and sorceresses from Constantine to the end of the seventh century AD

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Book SynopsisThe perfect companion to the Roman myths and the landscapes and ideas that shaped them.Table of ContentsTroy, Turkey • Delos, Cyclades Archipelago, Greece • Carthage, Tunisia • Eryx, Sicily • Cumae, Italy • Lavinium, Italy • Ardea, Italy • Alba Longa, Italy • The Palatine, Rome • The Capitol, Rome • Campus Martius, Rome • Aventine Hill, Rome • The Sublician Bridge, Rome • The Roman Forum, Rome • Tarquinia, Italy • Clusium, Italy • Veii, Italy • Tivoli, Italy

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Book SynopsisHelena Norberg-Hodge is the founder and director of the International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC) and its predecessor, the Ladakh Project. She is the author of Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh and co-author of Bringing the Food Economy Home. Her articles have appeared in numerous journals such as The Ecologist, Resurgence, and YES! magazine. Norberg- Hodge's ground-breaking work in the Himalayan region of Ladakh is internationally recognized, and earned her the Right Livelihood Award.Trade ReviewThe book that has had the greatest influence on my life is Ancient Futures, about tradition and change in a remote corner of India that has never been subjected to the brutality of the modern, global economy. * Zac Goldsmith *

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Book SynopsisFor Pagans who are getting married and want to create their own meaningful ceremony, this work contains many Pagan traditions. It grades all rituals as to their level of non-Pagan acceptance.

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Book SynopsisEmbrace Your Personal Power with 20 Queer-Specific Rituals Queer people go through all kinds of unique milestones and rites of passage as we grow into our true selves. Whether you are coming out, attending your first Pride parade, or changing your pronouns, this book will help you enter these rites of passage thoughtfully and spiritually. Explore rituals for honoring chosen family, going through gender transition milestones, exploring and affirming your gender and sexuality, entering your first queer relationship, and more. Enhance your rituals with a variety of magickal allies, including deities and community ancestors (such as queer activists and leaders). Regardless of your skill level or spiritual tradition, Queer Rites makes it simple to connect your lived experiences to your magickal practice and commemorate occasions in a way that resonates with your unique and wonderful self. Includes a foreword by Ariana Serpentine, author of Sacred Gender, and rituals by guest writers Storm Faerywolf, Misha Magdalene, Brandon Weston, and Rev. Ron Padrón

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Book SynopsisCreate your own magical path with the hearth at the centre of your household life and spiritual practice.

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Book SynopsisInvite a Little More Magic into Each DayExplore 366 quick activities that you can follow chronologically through the year or dip into as time allows. This follow-up to A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft includes spells, rituals, meditations, crafts, recipes, and journal prompts you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. You''ll find ideas to:? Design a labyrinth ? Carve intention into candles ? Build an ancestor altar ? Make a besom ? Grow a moon garden ? Fold paper airplane magic ? Wish with bubbles ? Chant to the Goddess ? And moreIn addition to the daily inspirations, Deborah Blake offers activities for full moons, holidays, and other special occasions. With this book, you can explore your magic and expand your practice, even during the busiest times.

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Book SynopsisSecrets of Voodoo traces the development of this complex religion (in Haiti and the Americas) from its sources in the brilliant civilizations of ancient Africa. This book presents a straightforward account of the gods or loas and their function, the symbols and signs, rituals, the ceremonial calendar of Voodoo, and the procedures for performing magical rites are given.“Voodoo,” derived from words meaning “introspection” and “mystery,” is a system of belief about the formation of the world and human destiny with clear correspondences in other world religions. Rigaud makes these connections and discloses the esoteric meaning underlying Voodoo’s outward manifestations, which are often misinterpreted. The book is translated from the French by Robert B. Cross and includes drawings and photographs by Odette Mennesson-Rigaud.Milo Rigaud was born in Port au Prince, Haiti, in 1903, where he spent the greater pa

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Book SynopsisIn Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity, A.D. Lee documents the transformation of the religious landscape of the Roman world from one of enormous diversity of religious practices and creeds in the 3rd century to a situation where, by the 6th century, Christianity had become the dominant religious force. Using translated extracts from contemporary sources he examines the fortunes of pagans and Christians from the upheavals of the 3rd Century, through the dramatic events associated with the emperors Constantine, Julian and Theodosius in the 4th, to the increasingly tumultuous times of the 5th and 6th centuries, while also illustrating important themes in late antique Christianity such as the growth of monasticism, the emerging power of bishops and the development of pilgrimage, as well as the fate of other significant religious groups including Jews and Manichaeans.This new edition has been updated to include: additional docuTrade Review"This is an invaluable collection for students and teachers alike, offering clear insight into the complexities of the different sources for the study of religion in late antiquity and the ways that historians have interpreted them." Neville Morley, Bristol, UK "the author's contributions are clear and helpful, the primary materials well chosen and quite interesting. This second edition (replacing the first, published in 2000) can be recommended for academic libraries supporting undergraduate studies in religion, as well as public and specialized libraries. Summing Up: Recommended." R. Goldenberg, Stony Brook University (SUNY) in CHOICE Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I: Pagans and Christians through time 1 Pagans in the third century 2 Christians in the third century 3 Pagans and Christians during the Tetrarchy 4 Constantine 5 Pagans and Christians in the mid-fourth century 6 Pagans and Christians in the late fourth century 7 Christianisation and its limits in the fifth and sixth centuries Part II: Other religious groups 8 Jews 9 Zoroastrians 10 Manichaeans Part III: Themes in late antique Christianity 11 Ascetics 12 Bishops 13 Material resources 14 Church life 15 Women 16 Pilgrims and holy places

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Book SynopsisThe twin deities known by the ancient Greeks as the Dioskouroi, and by the Romans as the Gemini, were popular figures in the classical world. They were especially connected with youth, low status and service, and were embraced by the common people in a way that eluded those gods associated with regal magnificence or the ruling classes. Despite their popularity, no dedicated study has been published on the horse gods for over a hundred years. Henry John Walker here addresses this neglect. His comparative study traces the origins, meanings and applications of the twin divinities to social and ritual settings in Greece, Vedic India (where the brothers named Castor and Pollux were revered as Indo-European gods called the Asvins), Etruria and classical Rome. In the Bronze and Early Iron Ages of Vedic India, the young horse gods are seen to have markedly similar characteristics to their Greco-Roman counterparts. Quick to come to the rescue of those in trouble, the Asvins are ready

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Book SynopsisEnter the world of Titans and Olympians, Hercules and Zeus, gorgons and hydras with this excellent collection of mythological wordsearch puzzles based on classical Greek and Roman mythology.Join the gods and heroes of old on a quest to discover all of the words that have been cleverly hidden in the grids within. With a variety of fun and intriguing themes such as Jason and the Argonauts and mythological monsters, as well as puzzles based on excerpts from classic stories and text, you''ll be entertained for hours.Themes include: • Circe• Pandora''s Box• The Furies• Weapons of the Gods• The Stealing of HelenABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Classic Puzzles bring together mind-bending puzzles inspired by classic themes and figures from history and literature, from ancient antiquity to modern greats. These are presented in handsome decorative formats that make the perfect gift.

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Book SynopsisA thorough, academic look at the past, present, and future of Norse polytheism. Welch highlights many Norse goddesses as well as other divine females of the Norse pantheon - Valkyries, Norns, Giantesses, Disir - and in a straightforward manner, makes a definitive case for the primordial goddess.

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Book SynopsisExplores the many forms and abilities of the devil in stories from around the world. The devil has many more guises than the cliché red boogeyman named Lucifer or Satan who haunts Christianity. In some traditions the devil is sinister and cunning, while others portray him as an oaf who can easily be conned and evaded by anyone with an ounce of cleverness. In other tales and legends, he is the primal shapeshifter, and the Roma, also known as the gypsies, claimed his talents of metamorphosis were so strong he could even assume the appearance of a priest. Drawing on folk traditions from all over Europe, including Transylvanian Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Switzerland, Italy, France, Scandinavia, Moravia, Bohemia, Lapland, and the Baltic countries, Claude and Corinne Lecouteux explore the many forms and abilities of the devil in stories, tales, and legends throughout the ages. They trace the devil’s shapeshifting powers back to their Vedic origins in ancient India and look at his connections with witches, storm magic, and other magical events. They examine the symbolic implications of the appearance of the devil in these tales, such as how he is often either limping or disfigured with the legs or feet of a goat or other animal traditionally linked to the lower powers or passions. They explain how the devil’s limp or his goat-like feet reflect the prevalence in world mythology of the sacred nature of crippling injuries. Peeling back the Christian veneer embedded in many tales and legends about the so-called Evil One, the authors ultimately reveal how many of the qualities and magical powers attributed to the devil were once those belonging to pagan gods, like the Lithuanian thunder god Perkūnas or the Titan Chronos, as well as to playful woodland spirits and the sometimes helpful, sometimes fearful fauns and satyrs of Greco-Roman mythology.Trade Review“In their majestic collection of folk stories about Satan, authors and curators Claude and Corinne Lecouteux unearth a truth that our culture translates into myth: we as a human community remain deeply affectionate toward our old gods. What in cinema is called Loki, Darth Vader, and Maleficent are the same archetypes that populate these Old-World legends in which our forebears were brave enough to call their antihero by his name. With the very able hand of translator Jon E. Graham, the Lecouteuxs have created a forbidden feast.” * Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award–winning author of Occult America and Uncertain Places *“How do you best the devil and live happily ever after? Read Claude and Corinne Lecouteux’s Tales and Legends of the Devil, stories from across Europe, and find out. Claude Lecouteux is a master of unearthing hidden treasures from the European tradition.” * Arthur Versluis, author of The Secret History of Western Sexual Mysticism *“Humanity’s relationship to adversity personified and elucidated in stories teaches us the value of the cunning trickster. From either the vantage point of moral hygiene stories or the lack thereof, these stories show us the importance and folly of cunning, something we all need to be reminded of. Claude and Corinne have done a fabulous job.” * Marcus McCoy, cofounder of the Viridis Genii Symposium and esoteric blacksmith at Troll Cunning Forg *“Claude Lecouteux has written extensively and meticulously on the supernatural figures that appear in what is often called ‘the lower mythology’ of the Middle Ages and has shown how these same figures (still) haunt our own world. More than twenty of Claude Lecouteux’s books (including several coauthored by his wife, Corinne) have been translated and published by Inner Traditions over the past fifteen years. Why did I feel compelled to write a preface for this particular book? Perhaps because ‘the devil made me do it.’” * Jon E. Graham, award-winning translator of the Bavarian illuminati *Table of ContentsTranslator’s Preface Introduction Chapter IThe Devil as Suitor Chapter II The Devil and His FamilyChapter III The Swindled and Battered Devil Chapter IV In the Devil’s Service Chapter V A Visit to Hell Chapter VIThe Devil and the Church Chapter VII Singular Tales Appendix 1 Tale Types in this Book Appendix 2Index of Motifs Associated with the Devil Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn Sex in the World of Myth, David Leeming argues that sex is as important in myths as it is in our lives. Myths are our cultural dreams, and sex is pervasive in all mythologies because it has obsessed and confused us like nothing else - what's more, sexual myths, like all myths, can serve many purposes. The reproductive acts of the ancient Greek goddess Gaia perhaps reflect a pre-Olympian matriarchal social system. The tales of the unbridled sexual deeds of the Polynesian Maui, and many others, speak to a natural fascination with the power and mystery of sexual drives. Leeming demonstrates how even when such myths are meant to elicit laughter or titillation, the participation in them of sacred heroes and deities means they are in some sense religious - partial answers to the nature of existence in general, and human sexuality in particular.

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Book SynopsisIn 1902 Steiner wrote Christianity as Mystical Fact and the Mysteries of Antiquity, showing the evolutionary development from the ancient mysteries, through the great Greek philosophers, to the events portrayed in the gospels. Steiner saw the Christ event as the turning point in the world's spiritual history -- an incarnation whose significance he saw as transcending all religions.Charles Kovacs brings his deep knowledge of esoteric writings, mythology and Steiner's lectures to give more background and to show how the way for Christianity was prepared in the ancient pre-Christian mysteries of Egypt and Greece. He discusses the symbolic and real events of the gospels, as well as looking at some of the understandings and disputes of the early Christians.The book is illustrated with Kovacs' own colour paintings.Trade Review'Steiner's work becomes enriched and deepened by Kovacs' reflections... the reader does not need to be familiar with the original in order to gain insight and pleasure from Kovacs' book. His language is very clear and to the point, his train of thought as easy to follow as Ariadne's thread and his patient working through the material step by step allows you to stay with the entire development of humanity in picture form without getting lost. [The book] is fascinating and inspiring... Kovacs and Steiner have given us a feast of myths, philosophy and initiation wisdom which lights up our path towards initiation and can be an aid of encouragement for our own meditative practise.'-- Anna Phillips, Camphill Correspondence'... an interesting and informative book, one that would be a good study companion for Steiner's Christianity as Mystical Fact. Sixteen artistic works painted by Kovacs are featured in this volume; they provide a pleasant 'intermission' midway through the book.'-- New View

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Although there are major differences in the lifestyles of the numerous Native American nations, they share fundamental beliefs. The spiritual wisdom of these people is based on a love and reverence for Nature, a belief in a Supreme Being and a spirit world that interacts with human activity. Organized in alphabetical order and grouped around the main Native American Nations from Apache to Zuni, including the Sioux, Eskimo, Cherokee and many more, the evocative words that Alan Jacobs has selected from all the major tribes express the love and respect they feel for their environment and our place within it.

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Book SynopsisThroughout time, trees have stood as sentinels, wise yet silent, patiently accumulating their rings while the storms of history have raged around them. Trees and humankind have always had a symbiotic relationship. Throughout the centuries trees have offered us shelter from the cold and the heat. They have provided us with a multitude of nutritious fruits, leaves, flowers and roots for food and medicine. They have given us wood with which to make our tools, weapons and toys, not to mention timber for houses, fences, boats and bridges. But perhaps most significant of all, trees have provided us with fuel for fire, which, once it was tamed hundreds of thousands of years ago became the engine of civilization. Trees are our strongest allies. The Living Wisdom of Trees is a richly illustrated guide to the cultural significance of 55 trees, from Acacia to Yew, looking in particular at their botanical characteristics; their place in world myth, magic and folklore; their healing properties; and their practical contribution to society. Featuring beautiful hand-drawn evocative illustrations, The Living Wisdom of Treesis for all who seek acquaintance with the fascinating lore and the profound spiritual wisdom of trees.

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Book SynopsisIn this beautifully illustrated gift edition, you’ll discover more than 240 mythological tales from around the world, featuring gods, heroes, princesses, villains, magicians and monsters, as well as animals with extraordinary powers. Let this collection guide you through stories from every corner of the globe, from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome through the Vikings to the Slavic East, Japan and China and the Americas. Each culture is rich in folklore and magical tales, and this book offers a fascinating introduction to them all. This is a radical collection of stories, filled with voltage. Whether ninety or nine, there’s something in these tales that wants to speak directly to you. From tales of creation and the first humans to apocalyptic battles at the end of time, explore the most thrilling tales in all mythology: thunder god Thor losing his hammer, Theseus callously abandoning Ariadne after defeating the Minotaur, Hindu god Shiva destroying his rival Kama with a blast of flame, Egyptian goddess Isis forcing the sun god to reveal his name … and much more.

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Book SynopsisPracticed today by more than 500 million adherents, Buddhism emerged from India between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE. Based around the original teachings of the Buddha, key texts emerged to promote a true understanding of Buddhist ethics and spiritual practices. The Buddhist traditions created a vast body of mythological literature, much of it focused on the life of the Buddha. For example, the 550 Jataka Tales tell of Buddha’s early life and renunciation, as well as his previous human and animal incarnations. The stories also tell of Gautama Buddha’s family, such as his mother Mara, and her dream of a white elephant preceding his birth; as well as his cousin, Devadatta, a disciple monk who rebelled against Buddha and tried to kill him. Buddhist literature includes numerous parables – such as the Turtle Who Couldn’t Stop Talking – as well as recounting scenes from the Indian epic the Ramayana. History and myth intermingle in texts such as Ashokavadana, where the Mauryan emperor Ashoka is portrayed as a model of Buddhist kingship. Illustrated with 120 photographs and artworks, Buddhist Myths is an accessible, engaging and highly informative exploration of the fascinating mythology underlying one of the world’s oldest and most influential religions.Table of ContentsContents include: Introduction The birth and spread of Buddhism from its origins in northern India in the sixth century BCE. 1. Concepts and Cosmology Spatial cosmology: Formless Realm; Form Realm; Desire Realm; Sahasra cosmology. The Four Great Elements; the Seven Ranges; Great Outer Ocean; the Great Lakes; the Great Trees; Kamavacara (plane of sense desire); Manussaloka (the human realm); the Animal realm; the Lower realm Temporal cosmology: Vivatakalpa; Vivartasthayikalpa; Samvartakalpa; Samvartasthayikalpa. 2. Life of the Buddha The life of the Buddha is described in a number of sacred texts, including the Buddhacarita, Lalitavistara Sūtra, Mahāvastu, and the Nidānakathā. Other texts include: the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, the Abhiniṣkramana Sūtra and the Theravada. Typical motifs: The Buddha’s mother, Māyā, dreaming of a white elephant; lotuses springing up under the feet of the bodhisattva as he walked immediately after birth; seeing the four signs; the bodhisattva leaving his wife and child, often on the night of the birth; the bodhisattva's horse, Kaṇṭhaka, who carried him away, but later died of grief; the offering of milk rice by Sujātā; the attack by Māra’s armies. 3. The Jataka Tales A part of the Pali Canon, the 550 Jataka Tales are a huge body of work outlining the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. Often, Jātaka stories include an extensive cast of characters who interact and get into various kinds of trouble – whereupon the Buddha character intervenes to bring about a resolution. Includes the story of Rama (Ramayana) in the Dasaratha Jataka. 4. Teachings of the Buddha The Pali Canon: The Tripitaka and the Sutras. Sutras are aphorisms and stories designed to demonstrate some part of Buddhist doctrine. Sutta Pitaka: discourses and sermons of Buddha. Mahayana sutras: such as the Lotus sutra and the Avatamsaka Sutra contain popular stories and parables that have been widely influential in Mahayana Buddhism. Ten Principal Disciples (Mahayana tradition) Kangyur: holy Tibetan scripts 5: Divine and Extraordinary Beings Buddhism includes a wide array of divine beings that are venerated in various ritual and popular contexts. Key figures: Bodhisattvas; Yidam, or Ishta-devata (personal meditation deity); Devas; Asuras; Maras; Yakshas; Kinnaras; Nagas. Goddesses include: Prthivi – Mother Earth; Sri Lakshmi – goddess of good fortune; Hariti – goddess of motherly love. Mahayana goddesses: Prajnaparamita – mother of perfect wisdom; Marici – lady of sunrise; Cunda – saving grace; Tara – universal saviour; Tantric female Buddhas 6: Notable Figures Indian kings feature in many Buddhist stories and myths. The earliest texts speak of various kings paying respects to the Buddha. The Buddhist myths which developed around the famed Mauryan emperor Ashoka are also important sources of Buddhist mythology. These stories serve as morality tales and as models for Buddhist kingship, which were emulated and used by later Buddhist monarchies throughout the Buddhist world. Glossary Index

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Book Synopsis"Living With Honour" is a provocative and uncompromising exploration of how Paganism can provide the philosophical guidance to live honourably in a twenty-first Western society. Part One explores the history of Paganism, its undercurrents of anarchy, heresy, environmentalism and animism, finding its place within the history of Western philosophy. Questioning the morality of some reaches of modern Paganism, it presents a context of nature-based animistic Paganism, and proffers a contemporary understanding of honour.Part Two addresses key moral issues from that animistic perspective, beginning with the foundation of human relationships and attitudes towards the Other. It considers how these play out in our practical relationships with friends, colleagues, children and those with whom we have an intimate bond, including the love affair, commitment and polyamory. Exploring how we value life, it looks first at human life, dying, suicide and euthanasia, birth, abortion and IVF. It then examines the human abuse of nonhuman animals, discussing sentience, personhood and inherent value. Considering the environment, it explores the worldview of nature as a resource, and presents an animistic understanding of nature's sanctity, and how sustainable relationship can be achieved. Finally, it focuses on current global crises, exploring need as opposed to desire. While ethics may be agreed, willingness to compromise desire for ethics is less easy.Part Three explores the factors that hinder ethical action, allowing careless passivity: fear, habit, a sense of impotence and a disconnection from the environment. It considers free will and the powerful fuel of deep inspiration. This is the first book to give an account of ethics from a pagan viewpoint for the modern world.Trade ReviewThis is an excellent pioneering work, erudite, courageous and imaginative, that provides a new kind of ethics, linked to a newly appeared complex of religions, which are founded on some very old human truths. Professor Ronald Hutton, world expert on paganism and author of The Triumph of the Moon and many other titlesThis is a lively, sensible and careful attempt to make sense of some very confusing, and yet important, areas of modern thought. I particularly like the clear style and the attention that the author gives to parts of the historical background which are usually misunderstood. I think the book should interest a wide audience. Mary Midgley, philosopher, author of Science as Salvation and many other works

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully written book will show seekers of the magical arts how to reclaim the old traditions of our pagan ancestors, which, as this book will show, were heavily rooted in shamanism. Kenneth Johnson takes the reader on a journey far into the past where these shamanistic practices of medieval and Renaissance European people can be explored while simultaneously teaching the working Witch how to incorporate these older traditions into their own magical practice. Included in this book are explorations of the mystical otherworld, instructions on how to discover one''s Tree of Power, methods of entering the World Mountain to gain wisdom, an in-depth overview of folkloric initiatory practices, the folklore of the Wild Hunt, and much more.

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Book SynopsisA guide to Iceland's rich literary heritage - from Norse witches to contemporary crime fiction. Iceland is an island of multiple identities in constant flux, just like its unruly, volcanic ground. Shaped as much by storytelling as it is by tectonic activity, Iceland’s literary heritage is one of Europe’s richest – and most ancient. Iceland: A Literary Guide for Travellers takes the literary-minded traveller (either in person or in an armchair) on a vivid and illuminating journey. It follows Iceland's many stories that have been passed down through the generations: told and retold by sheep farmers, psalm-writers, travelling reverends, independence fighters, scholars and hedonists. From the captivating Norse myths, which continue to inspire contemporary authors such as A. S. Byatt, to gripping Scandinavian crime fiction and Game of Thrones, via Jules Verne and J. R. R. Tolkien, W. H. Auden and Seamus Heaney, Iceland’s influence has spread far beyond its frozen shores. Peopled by Norse maidens and witches, elves and outlaws, and taking the reader and traveller from Reykjavik and the Bay of Smokes to the remote Westfjords and desolate highlands, this is an enthralling portrait of the Land of Ice and Fire.Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements About this book Introduction 1 Reykjavík & Reykjanes: Urban Iceland Bay of Smokes Hafnarfjörður Mosfellsbær Keflavík & Reykjanes Peninsula Akranes & Hvalfjörður 2 Western Region: Snorri Sturluson’s Pool 3 Westfjords: Water & Witchcraft 4 Northwestern Region: Monsters & Executioners 5 Northeastern Region: Home of Poets 6 Eastern Region: Heavy Metal in the Fjord 7 Southern Region: Parliaments & Pirates 8 Highlands: Here Outlaws Dwell Chronology of Events Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year""[It is] difficult to exaggerate the importance of Mackay’sbook as a statement on ancient Roman religion. . . . Essential."---R. E. Winn, Choice

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Book SynopsisOne of the foremost experts on magic, religion, and the occult in the ancient world provides an unparalleled exploration of magic in the Greco-Roman world, giving insight into the shifting ideas of religion and the divine in the ancient past and in the later Western tradition.Trade Review"[An] ambitious and enthusiastic study of magic in classical antiquity."---Marina Warner, New York Review of Books"An insightful and approachable survey of magical (or non-normative) practices and the beliefs thereto attached in Greco-Roman antiquity. The reasonable price and the attractive design of the volume, with high-quality pictures, make it particularly useful to students and general readers."---Leonardo Constantini, Classical Review"[Edmonds] does a terrific job of covering a vast amount of ground, adducing a phenomenal amount of evidence, and providing a synoptic but detailed overview of the most significant magical phenomena. . . . [Drawing Down the Moon] should, from now on, be the first port of call for anyone who wants to be introduced to the field."---Andrej Petrovic, Greece and Rome"Drawing Down the Moon can be recommended as an updated gateway into ancient 'magic' for English-speaking academic and public readers. Edmonds offers a rich overview of the present state of knowledge in the field announced by the subtitle: Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman World."---Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Thomas Galoppin"In Drawing Down the Moon, Edmonds has produced an extensive, engaging and, crucially, accessible overview which is likely to establish itself quickly as essential reading for anyone seeking to learn more about the vast array of topics that fall under the sweeping category of magic. . . . Ultimately, this work should be considered a resounding success and Edmonds is to be congratulated for providing an extensive and accessible introduction to such a wide-ranging and complex subject."---Jack Lennon, Bryn Mawr Classical Review"[A] careful scholarly study of ancient Mediterranean ‘magical’ practices and discourses of alterity—a significant advance in conceptualizing these historical subjects."---David Frankfurter, Review of Biblical Literature"Not only is Drawing Down the Moon for readers interested in magic, it is also one for readers interested in social history. An unmissable one, at that."---Owain Williams, Ancient History"Wide-ranging and meticulously researched."---Andrew Teverson, Folklore"A fresh approach and welcome comprehensive account. . . . [Drawing Down the Moon] will undoubtedly become a benchmark in the field of ancient magic scholarship.—David B. Levy, Classical World"

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Book SynopsisIn November 1519, Hernando Cortés walked along a causeway leading to the capital of the Aztec kingdom and came face to face with Moctezuma. That story--and the story of what happened afterwards--has been told many times, but always following the narrative offered by the Spaniards. After all, we have been taught, it was the Europeans who held the pens. But the Native Americans were intrigued by the Roman alphabet and, unbeknownst to the newcomers, they used it to write detailed histories in their own language of Nahuatl. Until recently, these sources remained obscure, only partially translated, and rarely consulted by scholars. For the first time, in Fifth Sun, the history of the Aztecs is offered in all its complexity based solely on the texts written by the indigenous people themselves. Camilla Townsend presents an accessible and humanized depiction of these native Mexicans, rather than seeing them as the exotic, bloody figures of European stereotypes. The conquest, in this work, is neither an apocalyptic moment, nor an origin story launching Mexicans into existence. The Mexica people had a history of their own long before the Europeans arrived and did not simply capitulate to Spanish culture and colonization. Instead, they realigned their political allegiances, accommodated new obligations, adopted new technologies, and endured. This engaging revisionist history of the Aztecs, told through their own words, explores the experience of a once-powerful people facing the trauma of conquest and finding ways to survive, offering an empathetic interpretation for experts and non-specialists alike.Trade ReviewIt is admirable how Townsend exploits the details of microhistory based on Native accounts to answer bigger questions, reveal meanings behind particular events, and offer the reader macro-level conclusions ... through this book we actually experience the past rather than simply read about it. It is not only convincing; it is simply captivating. Townsend has the courage to resort to "poetic license", but even then we do not lose the sense of transparency as the endnotes provide a full disclosure, informing critical readers about exact sources, possible discrepancies, uncertainties about the facts, and the source of the historian's preferred interpretation. By combining deep reading of Native sources with reexperiencing the emotions of their actors and reliving their deeds and decisions, Townsend puts into practice an ideal of historical writing. * Justyna Olko *A revolutionary history. * Ben Ehrenreich, The Guardian *Camilla Townsend has made the extraordinary happen. She has written a chronological history of the Mexica (Aztecs) from their origins into the sixteenth century relying principally on documents that they themselves generated...Camilla Townsend has provided scholars and the reading public with a wonderful history of the Mexica. By relying closely on Native texts, she has avoided the tropes normally associated with books on the precontact populations of Mexico. The writing itself is lyrical...Everyone with any interest at all in Mexico should read this work. * John F. Schwaller, Hispanic American Historical Review *Camilla Townsend's incredibly compact and helpful Fifth Sun will serve equally well professional historians, upper-division undergraduate and graduate students, and the general public. * Andrae Marak, World History Connected *This is the best book on the Aztecs yet written, full stop ... The value of Fifth Sun lies in how it rescues Aztecs and Nahuas from centuries of colonialist caricature and renders them human again - fully human, with flaws, people capable of brutal violence but also of deep love. * History Today *This wonderfully fresh, readable new work invites you to reconsider everything you think you knew about them. * Jonathan Gordon, All About History *Shows the Mexica empire in a fresh, thrilling new light. * Simon Sebag Montefiore, Aspects of History *Spanning the thirteenth to the seventeenth centuries, this book recreates key moments in the Mexica past as the Mexica themselves experienced and remembered them. We meet real men and women whose actions changed the course of history. We see time as the Mexica did, a sequence of years extending unbroken from mythic origins to intrepid migration to imperial splendor to the challenges of living with the Spanish colonial presence. Never before has the Aztecs' own epic story been so vividly and engagingly recounted for readers of English. * Louise M. Burkhart, author of Aztecs on Stage: Religious Theater in Colonial Mexico *From the initial migration southward, to the second generation after the conquest, Fifth Sun is a masterful account of the history of the Aztecs in their own words. A whole world arises from the pages: vivid, complex, and much closer to us than expected. Townsend's understanding of the indigenous annals is unmatched, and her book reads like a novel. You simply cannot put it down. * Caterina Pizzigoni, author of The Life Within: Local Indigenous Society in Mexico's Toluca Valley, 1650-1800 *Never before has the political history of the Aztecs, who knew themselves as the Mexica, been told with such sweeping élan. Townsend brings keen insight into the motivations of the players, be they seasoned warriors, shackled slaves, or calculating concubines. Her gripping narrative, underscoring Aztec tenacity and endurance before and beyond the Spanish conquest, is sure to captivate readers. * Barbara Mundy, author of The Death of Aztec Tenochtitlan, the Life of Mexico City *Camilla Townsend has an unusually profound understanding of Nahua culture, before and during the colonial period. She also has a rare set of research, linguistic, and writing skills. That combination of expertise and talent make her uniquely positioned to offer us a new book on the Aztecs, one that manages to be-despite the plethora of existing studies-both original and mandatory reading. This is a page-turner that is nonetheless packed with new insights and interpretations. * Matthew Restall, author of When Montezuma Met Cortés: The True Story of the Meeting That Changed History *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Mexica Royal Family Tree Introduction Chapter 1: Genghis Khan on Foot Chapter 2: People of the Valley Chapter 3: The City on the Lake Chapter 4: Strangers to Us People Here Chapter 5: A War to End All Wars Chapter 6: Early Days Chapter 7: Crisis: The Indians Talk Back Chapter 8: The Grandchildren Epilogue Notes Annotated Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFirst English-language edition, with revisions and additions by the author. This classic work by one of the world's most distinguished Egyptologists was first published in German in 1984. The Search for God in Ancient Egypt offers a distillation of...Trade ReviewVery occasionally there will appear a book, vibrant with intellectual fervor, which challenges jaded ideas and as such I welcome with the greatest admiration Jan Assmann, The Search for God in Ancient Egypt. At the outset I would urge readers to confront the complexity of the linguistic level of this book... because Assmann's total command of the ancient sources and his interpretative insights make joining him on his 'search' a unique experience. -- George Hart * Egyptian Archaeology *What has made Assmann not only an eminent Egyptologist, but, in Germany, a public intellectual as well, is his sympathetic operation from within Egyptian texts coupled with a deep and detailed knowledge of Western intellectual history.... We are very fortunate to see his extraordinary scholarship appearing at last in English, and owe our thanks to... Cornell University Press and David Lorton, as well as, of course, to Assmann himself, for this excellent new opportunity. -- Tom Hare, Princeton University * Cambridge Archaeological Journal *

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Book SynopsisAnyone who has sampled even a few of the most commonly read Greek texts will have encountered pollution. The pollution of bloodshed is a frequent theme of tragedy: Orestes is driven mad; Oedipus brings plague upon all Thebes. In historical texts we find cities intervening in the internal affairs of others to `drive out the pollution'', or making war on account of it. Political orators represent their opponents as polluting demons. Purity is a constant concern in ritual texts, and any Greek underwent many small purifications in his everyday life. Certain abnormal religious movements of the archaic age made `purification'' the path to felicity in the afterlife. First published in hardback in 1983, Miasma is the first work in English to treat this theme in detail.Trade Review`This book is packed with information, most lucidly and judiciously presented, and should be of great interest not only to Classicists (who often know less of this important area than they should), but to anthropologists and sociologists in general (a knowledge of Greek is not required, since everything essential is translated)." Hermathena`anyone who seriously wishes to know about Greek ethics and culture will need to refer to this book' London Review of Books`[Parker's] substantial and important book has set new standards of perceptiveness and subtlety, quite apart from its sheer learning, in this difficult but rich and revealing field of study.' Times Literary Supplement

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