Description
Book SynopsisA landmark study of ancient Greek and Roman cults, from the nocturnal mysteries at Eleusis to the cults of Dionysus and Mithras. Mystery cults are one of the most intriguing areas of Greek and Roman religion. In the nocturnal mysteries at Eleusis, participants dramatically re-enacted the story of Demeter's loss and recovery of her daughter Persephone; in Bacchic cult, bands of women ran wild in the Greek countryside to honour Dionysus; in the mysteries of Mithras, men came to understand the nature of the universe and their place within it through frightening initiation ceremonies and astrological teachings. These cults were an important part of life in the ancient Mediterranean world, but their actual practices were shrouded in secrecy, and much of what they were about has remained unclear until now. This is the first book to describe and explain all the major mystery cults of the ancient world, cult by cult, reconstructing the rituals and exploring their origins. It makes plen
Trade Review'A wonderful revelation. Piece by archaeological and textual piece, Bowden jigsaw-puzzles together the heady, high-octane, highly-charged world of mystery ritual in Greece and Rome' - Bettany Hughes
'Bowden debunks an impressive number of myths about ancient mystery religions' - Mary Beard, Times Literary Supplement
'Will be of immense value not just to those studying Greek and Roman civilizations but to students of early Christianity ... a most valuable survey' - Contemporary Review
'As clear and well-informed an account as one could imagine. In a highly accessible way Hugh Bowden puts together the literary and material evidence. Well-paced and an attractive read' - Robin Osborne, Professor of Ancient History, University of Cambridge
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1. The Eleusinian Mysteries
2. The Mysteries of the Kabeiroi and the Great Gods of Samothrace
3. Other Mystery Sanctuaries in the Greek World
4. The Mother of the Gods
5. Dionysus
6. Private Initiation
7. Words Written on Gold
8. Isis
9. Mithras
10. The End of the Mysteries
11. Encountering the Sacred
Map of Mediterranean and Near East
