Religions of the Ancient Greeks (Key Themes in Ancient History)

This 1999 book is about the religious life of the Greeks from the eighth century BC to the fifth century AD, looked at in the context of a variety of different cities and periods. Simon Price does not describe some abstract and self-contained system of religion or myths but examines local practices and ideas in the light of general Greek ideas, relating them for example, to gender roles and to cultural and political life (including Attic tragedy and the trial of Socrates). He also lays emphasis on the reactions to Greek religions of ancient thinkers - Greek, Roman, Jewish and Christian. The evidence drawn on is of all kinds: literary texts, which are translated throughout; inscriptions, including an appendix of newly translated Greek inscriptions; and archaeology, which is highlighted in the numerous illustrations.-- Provided by publisher This is a book about the religious life of the Greeks from the eighth century BC to the fifth century AD, looked at in the context of a variety of different cities and periods. Simon Price does not describe some abstract and self-contained system of religion or myths but examines local practices and ideas in the light of general Greek ideas, relating them, for example, to gender roles and to cultural and political life (including Attic tragedy and the trial of Socrates). He also lays emphasis on the reactions to Greek religions of ancient thinkers - Greek, Roman, Jewish and Christian. The evidence drawn on is of all kinds: literary texts, which are translated throughout; inscriptions, including an appendix of newly translated Greek inscriptions; and archaeology, which is highlighted in the numerous illustrations. Traces The Religious Life Of The Greeks From The Eighth Century B.c. To The Fifth Century A.d., Examining Local Practices And Ideas In The Context Of General Greek Ideas. Introduction -- Gods, Myths And Festivals -- Religious Places -- Authority, Control And Crisis -- Girls And Boys, Women And Men -- Elective Cults -- Greek Thinkers -- Reactions To Greek Religions -- Appendix Of Greek Inscriptions In Translation. Simon Price. 'appendix Of Greek Inscriptions In Translation': P. 172-182. Includes Footnotes, Bibliographical References (p. 183-209) And Index. This is a book about the religious life of the Greeks from archaic times to the fifth century AD, looked at in the context of a variety of different cities and periods. Simon Price examines local practices and concepts in the light of general Greek ideas, relating them to such issues as gender roles, political life, and the trial of Socrates. He lays emphasis on the reactions to Greek religions of ancient thinkers--Greek, Roman and Christian. The evidence drawn on is of all literary, inscriptional and archaeological. Contents 6 Figures 7 Preface 10 Abbreviations 12 1 Introduction 14 2 Gods, myths and festivals 24 3 Religious places 60 4 Authority, control and crisis 80 5 Girls and boys, women and men 102 6 Elective cults 121 7 Greek thinkers 139 8 Reactions to Greek religions 156 Appendix of Greek inscriptions in translation 185 Bibliographical essay 196 Bibliography 199 Index 223