This is the first book to describe and explain all of the ancient world's major mystery cults--one of the most intriguing but least understood aspects of Greek and Roman religion. In the nocturnal Mysteries at Eleusis; participants dramatically re-enacted the story of Demeter's loss and recovery of her daughter Persephone; in the Bacchic cult; bands of women ran wild in the Greek countryside to honor Dionysus; and in the mysteries of Mithras; men came to understand the nature of the universe and their place within it through frightening initiation ceremonies and astrological teachings. These cults were an important part of life in the ancient Mediterranean world; but their actual practices were shrouded in secrecy; and many of their features have remained unclear until now. By richly illustrating the evidence from ancient art and archaeology; and drawing on enlightening new work in the anthropology and cognitive science of religion; Mystery Cults of the Ancient World allows readers to imagine as never before what it was like to take part in these ecstatic and life-changing religious rituals--and what they meant to those who participated in them. Stunning images of Greek painted pottery; Roman frescoes; inscribed gold tablets from Greek and South Italian tombs; and excavated remains of religious sanctuaries help show what participants in these initiatory cults actually did and experienced. A fresh and accessible introduction to a fascinating subject; this is a book that will interest general readers; as well as students and scholars of classics and religion.
#2723291 in Books Princeton University Press 2007-11-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .81 x 5.51l; 1.06 #File Name: 0691133123312 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Well ArguedBy R. AlbinGlobalization means Europeanization; with the Europe of the latter term referring to what some historians call the Atlantic world of Western Europe and the Americas as it developed in the Renaissance; Reformation; and Enlightenment. The nation-state; industrial capitalism; liberal democracy; the socialist alternatives to liberal democracy; and the scientific world view are all European products that now dominate the world's political systems; economies; and intellectual culture.In this concise and well written book; Headley concentrates on the genesis of 2 particularly important European contributions to global culture - the closely related concepts of common humanity and universal rights; and the tradition of political dissent that leads to modern republics-democracy. In this discussion; Headley is particularly concerned with emphasizing the positive aspects of Europeanization. This is not a tendentious argument; as he specifically and clearly acknowledges the reality and importance of European imperialism and colonialism; and the horrible realities of 20th century events such as the Holocaust. While this is not a traditional polemic; Headley is concerned with what he regards as unfair denigration of the Western tradition from the left; and also with what he regards as distortion of that tradition by the right.Headly opens with an interesting section on how the European voyages of discovery generated the first approximately accurate view of globe among educated Europeans. Among this knowledge was the discovery of numerous humans living in virtually all parts of the globe. Headley essentially argues that this general geographic understanding formed the necessary backdrop for developing the idea of common humanity.An experienced scholar of early modern Europe; Headley demonstrates that the roots of the ideas of common humanity and universal rights are deeply embedded in the western tradition. He identifies the monogenic origin of humanity in the Christian creation myth and the Stoic ethical tradition as particularly important sources of these great ideas. He does a nice job of tracing the evolution of these ideas in early modern Europe; stressing the increasing secularization of this line of thought; culminating in the ideals of universal humanity and rationality enunciated; for example; by Kant at the end of the 18th century. Much of this discussion is both concise and informative. The summary of the natural law tradition; in particular; is a model of brevity and insight. Headley's discussion of the genesis of the tradition of political dissent is also concise and insightful. Again; this is a story very much of secularization of ideals; particularly prompted by the agonies of warfare generated by the Reformation;the necessity of religious toleration; and the gradual expansion of secular Republican ideals.Not much of Headley's story is new. Much of this story will be familiar to readers knowledgeable about intellectual history and early modern Europe. The presentation is very accessible and the quality of writing is very good. Headley is a thoughtful and careful analyst. While Headley argues argues well that the European origin of these ideas was sufficient; was it necessary? That is; could these ideas arise only in the unique circumstances of Europe and within the European intellectual tradition? This is impossible to say. Its possible that ideas like this are a necessary component of the development of industrial capitalism. If Song China had developed an industrial revolution and then become a great expansionary state; would we now be discussing Confucianism as the source of the idea of common humanity?Headley concludes with a definitely polemical section on contemporary American politics. This expresses his considerable disgust with the events of the last decade; particularly the policies of the Bush II administration. He is also quite disturbed by what he sees as the erosion of values by the inappropriate intrustion of dogmatic conservative Christianity into politics and other aspects of American life. His book is good corrective to the fantasies of those like Rodney Stark who wish to reduce all the positive aspects of the western tradition to an aspect of Christianity.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. bold and timelyBy Kostas A. Lavdas'Europeanization' is a concept put to many uses in the last couple of decades. As the European Union became stronger and expanded; EU scholars used the concept to imply the impact of the Union on member states and applicant states as well as the ongoing processes of interaction between the European and national levels. Other scholars; however; persisted in defending a more traditional use of the concept; having little to do with today's EU realities. In this second approach; Europeanization denotes the historical expansion of the geographical; civilizational and technological perimeter of the European/Western world. In his new book; Professor John Headley gives us a concise; bold and timely presentation of the thesis about the historical impact of Renaissance and Reformation ideas on the rest of the world. Headley focuses on the European roots of three Western-turned-global ideas: the vision of a common humanity; the conception of human rights; and the institutionalization of political dissent. These are uniquely European gifts to the world.Without in any way denying the dark and ugly side of Europe's other contributions (wars; colonialism; the holocaust); Headley boldly insists that "the uniqueness of the Western tradition in the creation of a common humanity needs to be reaffirmed". Whether or not one agrees with all the points it makes; this is clearly an important book: his lucid; bold and knowledgeable approach will no doubt provoke debate.
