Greek Religion: A Sourcebook

Description

Greek Religion: A Sourcebook provides an introduction to the fundamentals of ancient Greek religious beliefs and rituals through a rich collection of ancient source readings. The translations draw from the Focus Classical Library sources as well as new translations by the author and other outstanding scholars. Chapters cover such topics as ancient magic, mystery cults, divination, and festivals. Illustrated throughout with photos and maps, this book is designed as a companion to Valerie Warrior's Roman Religion: A Sourcebook.

Valerie M. Warrior is a scholar of Greco-Roman history and religion. She has taught at a number of North American colleges and universities and is the author of several books including Roman Religion: A Sourcebook and Greek Religion: A Sourcebook, both for Focus Publishing. She received her B.A. with Honors from Cambridge University, and her Ph.D. from London University.

Warrior's text fills a long-acknowledged void for teaching Ancient Religion. There is no real alternative. The best recommendation for her book comes from my students, who voted her Greek and Roman Sourcebooks their favorite texts in my Greek and Roman Religion course. -Randall M. Colaizzi, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Boston This sourcebook sets a very high standard for its competitors to match in the area of Greek religion. Its approach of relying on the ancient sources to speak for themselves, with limited but helpful commentary, is effective and engaging in a way that a dry textbook presentation is not. Given its eminently reasonable price, the accessibility of the translations and the quality of the supporting commentary, anyone teaching a course offering involving the religious practices of ancient Greek civilization ought to consider adopting Greek Religion: a sourcebook. -Benjamin W. Hicks, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2009.08.59)