Ancient Greek Religion

Ancient Greek Religion: Historical Sources in Translation presents a wide range of documents relating to the religious world of the ancient Greeks from the earliest surviving literature to around the end of the fourth century BCE.

• Presents a wide range of documents relating to the religious world of the ancient Greeks, from the earliest surviving literature to around the end of the fourth century BCE
• Provides extensive background information for readers with no previous knowledge of classical studies
• Brings together new and rare passages for comparison – with occasional new interpretations – to appeal to professionals
• Offers a variety of less frequently examined material and looks at familiar texts in new ways
• Includes the use of extensive cross-referencing to indicate the interconnectedness of different aspects of religious practice and thought
• Includes the most comprehensive commentary and updated passages available in a single volume

Introduction.

Abbreviations.

List of illustrations/acknowledgements.

1. Gods and Religion.

2. Mythology.

3. Closeness and Distance.

4. Ritual Contexts.

5. Sanctuaries I.

6. Sanctuaries II.

Suggestions for further reading.

"To conclude, Kearns' Ancient Greek Religion: A Sourcebook will be highly valuable both to inexperienced students who can read it thoroughly, and to scholars familiar with the subject, who will consult it in a more selective way, but with equal profit." (Bmcreview, 2 November 2010)

"To conclude, Kearns' Ancient Greek Religion: A Sourcebook will be highly valuable both to inexperienced students who can read it thoroughly, and to scholars familiar with the subject, who will consult it in a more selective way, but with equal profit." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 5 November 2010)

Emily Kearns is lecturer in Classical Languages and Literature and a Senior Research Fellow at St Hilda's College, University of Oxford. She is co-editor with Simon Price of the Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion (2003) and author of Heroes of Attica (1989).

A Sourcebook Ancient Greek Religion

'Kearns' superb sourcebook makes it possible, for the first time, for students in a convenient, well-informed, and systematic way to engage directly with over 200 primary texts central to the study of Greek religion.' Jon D. Mikalson, University of Virginia

'This is much more than the long-overdue, up-to-date sourcebook on Greek religion; researchers too will find the innovative choice of texts, documents and images and the thoughtful commentary extremely rewarding.' Barbara Kowalzig, Royal Holloway, University of London

Ancient Greek Religion: A Sourcebook presents a wide range of documents relating to the religious world of the ancient Greeks. Drawn from literary texts and inscriptions from the earliest surviving literature to the age of Alexander, the carefully chosen passages shed light on the beliefs, rituals and hierarchy of deities that formed the religious framework of life in ancient Greece. The extant documents – including many lesser known fragmentary texts – serve to illustrate the importance and diversity of religious ritual, as well as the many ways in which the Greeks conceptualised the gods and related stories about them. Further insights are gained through section introductions that set the documents in context, detailed commentary that clarifies and illuminates individual passages, and copious cross-references that reveal the interconnectedness of varied aspects of religious practice and thought.

Ancient Greek Religion is an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the religious practices of one of the world's greatest civilizations. “Kearn's superb sourcebook makes it possible, for the first time, for students in a convenient, well-informed, and systematic way to engage directly with over 200 primary texts central to the study of Greek religion.”
Jon D. Mikalson, University of Virginia

“This is much more than the long-overdue, up-to-date sourcebook on Greek religion; researchers too will find the innovative choice of texts, documents and images and the thoughtful commentary extremely rewarding.”
Barbara Kowalzig, Royal Holloway, University of London