Greek Religion: Archaic and ClassicalFirst published in German in 1977, Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical has now been translated into English with the assistance of the author himself. A clearly structured and readable survey for students and scholars, it will be welcomed as the best modern account of any polytheistic religious system. Burkert draws on archaeological discoveries, insights from other disciplines, and inscriptions in Linear B to reconstruct the practices and beliefs of the Minoan–Mycenaean age. The major part of his book is devoted to the archaic and classical epochs. He describes the various rituals of sacrifice and libation and explains Greek beliefs about purification. He investigates the inspiration behind the great temples at Olympia, Delphi, Delos, and the Acropolis—discussing the priesthood, sanctuary, and oracles. Considerable attention is given to the individual gods, the position of the heroes, and beliefs about the afterlife. The different festivals are used to illuminate the place of religion in the society of the city-state. The mystery cults, at Eleusis and among the followers of Bacchus and Orpheus, are also set in that context. The book concludes with an assessment of the great classical philosophers’ attitudes to religion. |
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Page 21
... Mycenaean Greeks . The centres which rise to prominence in Greece itself , in addition to the Argolid with Mycenae and Tiryns , " 3 are above all Messenia with Pylos , Attica with Athens , Boeotia with Thebes and Orchomenos , and ...
... Mycenaean Greeks . The centres which rise to prominence in Greece itself , in addition to the Argolid with Mycenae and Tiryns , " 3 are above all Messenia with Pylos , Attica with Athens , Boeotia with Thebes and Orchomenos , and ...
Page 49
... Mycenaean statuettes were discovered beneath the temple of Athena Pronaia , and it was concluded that a Mycenaean sanctuary had previously stood here ; but in fact , this was a foundation deposit from the eighth century , proof of the ...
... Mycenaean statuettes were discovered beneath the temple of Athena Pronaia , and it was concluded that a Mycenaean sanctuary had previously stood here ; but in fact , this was a foundation deposit from the eighth century , proof of the ...
Page 50
... Mycenaean king and his house goddess . Minoan - Mycenaean tradition is recalled in many aspects of the cults on the Acropolis : the ' house - guarding snake ' which is offered honey cakes , the enclosed olive tree in the precinct of the ...
... Mycenaean king and his house goddess . Minoan - Mycenaean tradition is recalled in many aspects of the cults on the Acropolis : the ' house - guarding snake ' which is offered honey cakes , the enclosed olive tree in the precinct of the ...
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Common terms and phrases
2nd edn according Aeschylus already altar ancient animal Aphrodite Apollo appears Artemis associated Athena becomes beginning blood called carried celebrated century connected continuity course cult dance dead death Demeter Dionysos divine early earth especially evidence existence fact festival FGrHist figures fire gifts gives goddess gods grave Greek hand Hera Heracles Hermes heroes Hesperia Homeric honour human Hymn important individual initiation interpretation Italy kind king Knossos known later leads libation means Messenia Minoan mother Mycenaean mysteries myth mythology natural nevertheless offerings once origin paintings Paus period person Plat Plato Plut Poseidon present priest procession purification relation religion remains ritual sacred sacrifice sanctuary seems soul stands status stone temple tradition wine women Zeus