There is something of a paradox about our access to ancient Greek religion. We know too much; and too little. The materials that bear on it far outreach an individual's capacity to assimilate: so many casual allusions in so many literary texts over more than a millennium; so many direct or indirect references in so many inscriptions from so many places in the Greek world; such an overwhelming abundance of physical remains. But genuinely revealing evidence does not often cluster coherently enough to create a vivid sense of the religious realities of a particular time and place. Amid a vast archipelago of scattered islets of information; only a few are of a size to be habitable.―from the PrefaceIn On Greek Religion; Robert Parker offers a provocative and wide-ranging entrée into the world of ancient Greek religion; focusing especially on the interpretive challenge of studying a religious system that in many ways remains desperately alien from the vantage point of the twenty-first century. One of the world's leading authorities on ancient Greek religion; Parker raises fundamental methodological questions about the study of this vast subject. Given the abundance of evidence we now have about the nature and practice of religion among the ancient Greeks―including literary; historical; and archaeological sources―how can we best exploit that evidence and agree on the central underlying issues? Is it possible to develop a larger; "unified" theoretical framework that allows for coherent discussions among archaeologists; anthropologists; literary scholars; and historians?In seven thematic chapters; Parker focuses on key themes in Greek religion: the epistemological basis of Greek religion; the relation of ritual to belief; theories of sacrifice; the nature of gods and heroes; the meaning of rituals; festivals; and feasts; and the absence of religious authority. Ranging across the archaic; classical; and Hellenistic periods; he draws on multiple disciplines both within and outside classical studies. He also remains sensitive to varieties of Greek religious experience. Also included are five appendixes in which Parker applies his innovative methodological approach to particular cases; such as the acceptance of new gods and the consultation of oracles. On Greek Religion will stir debate for its bold questioning of disciplinary norms and for offering scholars and students new points of departure for future research.
#1372042 in Books Charity Ann Vogel 2013-09-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x 7.00 x 1.00l; 1.31 #File Name: 0801449081312 pagesThe Angola Horror
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Angola HorrorBy Margaret J. GothardThis book was an amazing read. It was as well researched as humanly possible; and I only wish there were a way to obtain more pieces of information. I have lived in the Western New York area most of my life; and I had never heard of this terrible incident until I read a book review in The Buffalo News. I bought the book for my Kindle within a few days. The book presents heartbreaking stories of some identified passengers and many unidentified passengers who met almost unimaginable deaths in the wreckage of a train a few days before Christmas 1867. The pieces of history included in this book are invaluable. The author and her researchers should be commended for their diligent work.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. The Angola HorrorBy Mr. Rick L. LobelloI grew up in Angola; New York about a 100 yards from the Nickle Plate Train Depot on South Main Street where my Dad used to work. When we moved closer to the center of the village I used to ride my bike to Big Sister Creek. My friends and I would climb around the boulders where a old dam once stood and fish for mullet and anything else we could catch. I would enjoy watching for birds; catching crayfish and looking for salamanders. It was the number one spot where I connected with nature. Little did I know at the time that a horrible train accident took place about 1000 yards upstream at the train bridge. As I got older and more interested in history I read about the accident; but did not know much about it outside of reading Truman White's "History of Evans" online. Now I have this amazing book that I find hard to put down. Charity Vogel did an outstanding job researching the story and making it so real. I keep looking online for any photographs of the train and try to imagine every part of the story. I found an old photo of the train station in Erie last night. I found an online library of back issues of Harper's Weekly not only describing the accident; but also a copy of the December 14; 1867 issue that passengers might have been reading on their way to Buffalo. I want to learn more about my town and its history and have a copy of "Joseph Bennett of Evans and the Growing of New York's Niagara Frontier" on the way. Thanks Ms Vogel and Cornell University Press for publishing this book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy Sandra SchoellesThis book was researched so well and written so fluidly that as you read; you were a participant. Charity. Vogel really did a beautiful job in bringing this story to life. I live right by the scene of this train wreck so long ago and find myself driving by and imagining that I am in 1867; looking for the Erie train to come any minute. It has given me a new feeling about my town; Angola. This should be made into a movie. I loved it.
