Description
Book SynopsisThe Cambridge Companion to Ancient Mediterranean Religions provides an introduction to the major religions of this area and explores current research regarding the similarities and differences among them. The book covers the religions of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria-Canaan, Israel, Anatolia, Iran, Greece, Rome and early Christianity, from the prehistoric period to late antiquity.
Trade ReviewAdvance praise: “I highly recommend this rich and informative resource volume to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to scholars. It has been judiciously researched by some of the leading scholars in the field and employs an interdisciplinary, historical, and comparative introduction to the most important features, beliefs, practices, rituals, and institutions of the major religions in the ancient Mediterranean world.” – Shalom Paul, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
“Spaeth’s well-conceived volume provides an excellent gateway, for seasoned scholars and beginning students alike, to the core materials and central issues in the study of diverse ancient Mediterranean religions. Taken together, these essays demonstrate how rich and vibrant this field has become – and just how much remains to be done.” – Ra‘anan Boustan, University of California, Los Angeles
“An intelligent and stimulating overview from diverse perspectives that produce a coherent whole. This book is a model of an interdisciplinary and comparative approach for an important emerging field.” – Karl Galinsky, University of Texas, Austin
“More than a dozen American scholars embark on a truly comparative study of Mediterranean religion, from the Neolithic stelae of Göbekli Tepe onward. Conceptions of the divine, sacrifice, divination, sacred space and time, priesthoods and politics – these keywords make the various religions described in the book accessible across different cultures.” – Jörg Rüpke, University of Erfurt
Table of Contents1. Egypt Emily Teeter; 2. Mesopotamia Beate Pongratz-Leisten; 3. Syria-Canaan Shawna Dolansky; 4. Israel Mayer Gruber; 5. Anatolia Billie Jean Collins; 6. Iran William Malandra; 7. Greece Jennifer Larson; 8. Rome Celia Schultz; 9. Early Christianity H. Gregory Snyder; 10. Violence Bruce Lincoln; 11. Identity Kimberly Stratton; 12. The body Elizabeth A. Castelli; 13. Gender Ross Kraemer; 14. Visuality Robin Jensen.
