The Mysteries of Artemis of Ephesos: Cult, Polis, and Change in the Graeco-Roman World (Synkrisis)

Artemis Of Ephesos Was One Of The Most Widely Worshiped Deities Of The Graeco-roman World. Her Temple, The Artemision, Was One Of The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World, And For More Than Half A Millennium People Flocked To Ephesos To Learn The Great Secret Of The Mysteries And Sacrifices That Were Celebrated Every Year On Her Birthday. In This Work Guy Maclean Rogers Sets Out The Evidence For The Celebration Of Artemis's Mysteries Against The Background Of The Remarkable Urban Development Of The City During The Roman Empire And Then Proposes An Entirely New Theory About The Great Secret That Was Revealed To Initiates Into Artemis's Mysteries. The Revelation Of That Secret Helps To Explain Not Only The Success Of Artemis's Cult And Polytheism Itself But, More Surprisingly, The Demise Of Both And The Success Of Christianity. Contrary To Many Anthropological And Scientific Theories, The History Of Polytheism, Including The Celebration Of Artemis's Mysteries, Is Best Understood As A Darwinian Tale Of Adaptation, Competition, And Change. Continuity In Change -- Funeral Games -- Mysteries And Sacrifices -- Mystic Sacrifices -- Kouretes Eusebeis -- Kouretes Eusebeis Kai Philosebastoi -- Kouretes Eusebeis Kai Philosebastoi Kai Bouleutai -- The Nurse Of Its Own Ephesian God -- Our Common Salvation -- Cult, Polis, And Change In The Graeco-roman World. Guy Maclean Rogers. Includes Bibliographical References (p. ) And Index. Cover 1 Contents 8 Preface: Anathema 10 Maps 14 PART I: Muesis — Initiation 28 1: Continuity in Change 30 2: Funeral Games 60 3: Mysteries and Sacrifices 88 PART II: Teletai — Rites 116 4: Mystic Sacrifices 118 5: Kouretes eusebeis 151 6: Kouretes eusebeis kai philosebastoi 174 7: Kouretes eusebeis kai philosebastoi kai bouleutai 200 8: “The Nurse of Its Own Ephesian God” 234 9: “Our Common Salvation” 259 PART III: Epopteia — Viewing 286 10: Cult, Polis, and Change in the Graeco-Roman World 288 Appendix 1: The Other Mystery Cults of the Polis 322 Appendix 2: Cults of the Prytaneion 332 Appendix 3: Chronological Chart of Kouretes 338 Appendix 4: Chart of Mysteries and Change 340 List of Abbreviations 342 Notes 344 Glossary 466 A 466 B 466 C 466 D 466 E 466 G 467 H 467 I 467 K 467 L 467 M 467 N 467 O 467 P 468 S 468 T 468 U 468 V 468 Select Modern Bibliography 470 General Index 510 A 510 B 512 C 512 D 513 E 514 F 515 G 515 H 515 I 516 K 517 L 518 M 518 N 519 O 519 P 519 Q 521 R 521 S 521 T 522 V 523 X 523 Z 523 Index of Ancient Authors 524 A 524 C 524 D 524 E 524 F 524 G 524 H 524 I 524 J 524 K 524 L 524 M 524 O 524 P 524 S 525 T 525 U 525 V 525 X 525 Index of Inscriptions 526 Color plates 146