Greek Religion

This brief but highly informative book presents an outline of Greek religion in the classical period. After surveying its main characteristics, it offers a clear and innovative view of the great gods and heroes as well as their sanctuaries and also the main myths, rituals and mysteries: from Athena to Zeus, from sacrifice to the puritan Orphics, from the Indo-European roots to the influence of the ancient Near East. The approach pays attention to the sociological, anthropological, and psychological aspects of Greek religion and also to the gender roles. By paying attention to the often modern origin of many of the notions employed in the analysis of Greek religion, it illustrates the difference between Greek polytheism and the place of religion in modern Western society. This second edition has been updated to account for the latest developments, and its bibliography makes this book very useful for students and teachers alike.

• This revised and updated volume presents an outline of Greek religion in the classical period, with a full bibliography
• This volume pays attention to sociological and anthropological aspects of Greek religion, as well as illustrating the difference between Greek polytheism and religion in modern Western society
• This volume offers a clear and innovative view of the great gods and heroes as well as their sanctuaries and also the main myths, rituals and mysteries