Search results for ""author belinda crerar""
British Museum Press Feminine power: the divine to the demonic
An exciting, wide-ranging exploration of the power and diversity of female figures of worship in world cultures and belief systems, from the ancient world to today. ---------- ‘Written in plain and accessible language, without losing academic rigor... Crerar, who, like a contemporary Virgil, introduces us to sublime and terrifying entities, guiding us all the way through the complex and fascinating meanings of femininity and faith.’ – María Pinal Villanueva, The Journal of Folklore Research Reviews ‘An excellent catalogue’ – Waldemar Januszczak, The Sunday Times ‘A lucidly argued and richly illustrated catalogue’ – Marina Warner, The Guardian ---------- Divine women – in many guises – have featured in every world faith from deep history until the present day, inspiring people and cultures across the world. In a cross-cultural and global approach, this book discusses Eve alongside Inanna, Radha and Aphrodite in the context of sex and desire, while in the chapter on evil, witches and Hecate are compared with other deities, like Lamaštu and the Cihuateotl, as well as monstrous women such as Taraka, Medusa, Rangda, and Lilith. Ideas of justice and defence are explored in the figures of Athena, Sekhmet and Kali, and the final chapter on compassion and salvation uncovers links between Isis, Mary, Tara and Guanyin. The publication concludes with a discussion of contemporary feminism and modern interpretations of goddesses. Until the mid-twentieth century, the disciplines of theology, archaeology and history were heavily dominated by male academics, resulting in the under-representation of women’s experience and fewer studies on female divinity. This timely book, which is packed with fascinating insights into different cultures and beliefs, seeks to redress that balance.
£27.00
British Museum Press Roman Empire: Power and People
Arguably the most formidable of powers the world has ever seen, the Roman Empire in its prime stretched from Spain to Iraq and from Germany to Egypt, encompassing all the territory in between. By AD 117, it had engulfed almost fifty countries we know today, marrying a fascinating range of cultures and traditions. This beautifully illustrated book explores the diverse peoples of the Roman Empire: how they viewed themselves and others as Romans and examining their enduring legacy today, from the languages we speak, to the legal systems we live by, the towns and cities we live in, and even to our table manners. Featuring some of the finest pieces from the Roman period in the British Museum collection, including sculpture from the villas of the Emperors Tiberius and Hadrian, coins from the famous Hoxne treasure, beautiful jewellery and even near - perfectly preserved children’s clothing, Roman Empire: Power and People demonstrates that although the wealth and might of the Empire rendered it irresistible and often unstoppable, provincial traditions and heritage flourished in the face of overwhelming change.
£20.37
