Seers, Shrines and Sirens : The Greek Religious Revolution in the Sixth Century B.C.

Seers, Shrines and Sirens (1965) surveys the history of Greek religion during the great formative and revolutionary era of the sixth century BC. It treats, among other subjects, the rise to prominence of the Delphic oracle, the growth of religious festivals and mysteries, the worship of Dionysus, including the development of the drama and appearance of the Orphic and Pythagorean sects. The sixth century was above all a time when prophets, supermen and sibyls flourished and their impact is discussed in detail. Seers, Shrines and Sirens (1965) surveys the history of Greek religion during the great formative and revolutionary era of the sixth century BC. The sixth century was above all a time when prophets, supermen and sibyls flourished and their impact is discussed in detail. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Original Title Page 6 Original Copyright Page 7 Dedication 8 Preface 10 List of Abbreviations 12 Table of Contents 14 Introduction 16 I. The Delphic Oracle 20 II. The Cults of Athens 43 III. The Eleusinian Mysteries 68 IV. Dionysus 81 V. The Followers of Orpheus 96 VI. Seers, Sibyls and Shamans 109 VII. Heroes and Demigods 120 VIII. Sirens 140 IX. The State Cults 149 Select Bibliography 158 Index 162 Ancient religion,Religion in Classical Greece