Fear and Loathing in Ancient Athens : Religion and Politics During the Peloponnesian War

Athens at the time of the Peloponnesian war was the arena for a dramatic battle between politics and religion in the hearts and minds of the people. Fear and Loathing in Ancient Athens , originally published in German but now available for the first time in an expanded and revised English edition, sheds new light on this dramatic period of history and offers a new approach to the study of Greek religion. The book explores an extraordinary range of events and topics, and will be an indispensable study for students and scholars studying Athenian religion and politics. Athens At The Time Of The Peloponnesian War Was The Arena For A Dramatic Battle Between Politics And Religion In The Hearts And Minds Of The People. 'fear And Loathing In Ancient Athens', Originally Published In German But Now Available For The First Time In An Expanded And Revised English Edition, Sheds New Light On This Dramatic Period Of History And Offers A New Approach To The Study Of Greek Religion. The Book Explores An Extraordinary Range Of Events And Topics: Impiety Charges And Prosecutions; The Horrors Of The Plague; The Mutilation Of Hermai And The Profanation Of The Mysteries; The Controversy Created By The Adoption Of New Gods; The Impressive Architectural Structures Of The Sculptor Phidias; The Military Conflicts Of The Peloponnesian War; And The Thoughts Of The Mysterious Philosopher Socrates. 'fear And Loathing In Ancient Athens' Will Be An Indispensible Study For Students And Scholars Studying Athenian Religion And Politics. Introduction -- Impiety Trials Against Philosophers And Sophists -- The Plague, Pericles And The Peloponnesian War -- Other Prosecutions For Impiety -- The Mutilation Of The Herms And The Profanation Of The Mysteries: Religious And Political Implications -- Tradition And Innovation: The New Gods -- Building For The Gods: Sacred Architecture During The Peloponnesian War -- The Arginusae Trial -- The Trial Of Socrates: An Overview -- Appendix I: Athenian Democracy: Modern Views And Ancient Realities -- Appendix Ii: Tragedy And History, Euripides And Religion -- Appendix Iii: Diocleides' False Testimony (415) -- Appendix Iv: On Hyperbolus' Ostracism And The Quorum For Ostracism. 2014. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 261-302) And Index. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Preface to the English edition 8 1. Introduction 12 2. Impiety trials against philosophers and Sophists 29 3. The Plague, Pericles and the Peloponnesian War 57 4. Other prosecutions for impiety 75 5. The mutilation of the Herms and the profanation of the Mysteries: religious and political implications 85 6. Tradition and innovation: the new gods 110 7. Building for the gods: sacred architecture during the Peloponnesian War 122 8. The Arginusae trial 142 9. The trial of Socrates: an overview 157 Appendix I: Athenian democracy: modern views and ancient realities 170 Appendix II: Tragedy and history, Euripides and religion 175 Appendix III: Diocleides’ false testimony (415) 182 Appendix IV: On Hyperbolus’ ostracism and the quorum for ostracism 184 Abbreviations 186 Notes 188 References 272 Index 314