Greek Religious Terminology – Telete and Orgia: A Revised and Expanded English Edition of the Studies by Zijderveld and Van der Burg

A proper understanding of the words τελετή and ὄργια and the context in which they occur is fundamental to the study of Greek religion. This volume seeks to make a significant portion of the source material available to present-day students of religions in the Graeco-Roman world. The ancient texts are accompanied by English translations. Revised chapters from the seminal works by Zijderveld (1934) and Van der Burg (1939) show a whole range of different contexts in ancient literature, thus arguing against an automatic equation of τελετή and ὄργια with mystery rites. New chapters give an overview of the loanword orgia in Latin poetry, and of τελετή and ὄργια in the epigraphical evidence. Cover......Page 1 Series......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Note on this Edition......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 List of New Greek Literary Sources......Page 18 List of Abbreviations......Page 22 PART ONE: TEΛETH IN LITERARY SOURCES......Page 24 1 – Introduction......Page 26 2 – The Use of Teλeth up to Alexander......Page 30 3 – The Use of Teλeth after Alexander......Page 62 4 – Teλeth in Jewish and Christian Authors......Page 126 5 – Summary......Page 142 PART TWO: OPΓIA IN LITERARY SOURCES......Page 148 6 – Introduction......Page 150 7 – The Use of Teλeth up to Alexander......Page 154 8 – The Use of Opγia after Alexander......Page 168 9 – Summary......Page 206 10 – Orgia in Latin Literature......Page 210 PART THREE: TEΛETH AND OPΓIA IN INSCRIPTIONS......Page 220 Introductory Notes......Page 222 11 – The Use of Teλeth in Inscriptions......Page 224 12 – The Use of Opγia in Inscriptions......Page 250 Falsa et dubia: τελετή......Page 262 Falsa et dubia: ’όργια......Page 265 Appendix B – The Proper Name Τελέτη......Page 268 Bibliography......Page 272 Source Index: Teλeth......Page 280 Source Index: Opγia......Page 290 Subject Index......Page 296 This volume collects and contextualizes ancient sources containing the terms I""IIII""a1/2 and a1/2""II3II for students of Greek religion. All the original texts, both literary and epigraphical, are accompanied by English translations This volume collects and contextualizes ancient sources containing the terms τελετή and ὄργια for students of Greek religion. All the original texts, both literary and epigraphical, are accompanied by English translations.