Ancient Greek religion

the long version

This text provides an introduction to the fundamental beliefs, practices, and major deities of Greek religion. While the focus is on Athens in the Classical Period, the book includes detailed discussion of Greek gods and heroes, myth and cult from the archaic age to the Hellenistic world. The book clearly sets out the fascinating but alien concepts of Greek polytheism, building up a picture of Greek religion as it was actually practiced. It emphasizes the experience of worshippers, considering Greek religious practice from a variety of perspectives, from the slave and members of the family, to priests and public officials. It examines views of the gods and the afterlife, the relationship between cult and myth, the nature of piety and impiety, and the wider social and political context in which religion functioned. New to the revised edition are additional feature boxes and bibliography, a new discussion of the nature of Greek piety, and a new chapter on Greek Religion and Greek Culture. Throughout the book, descriptions of actual sanctuaries and practices, the inclusion of ancient texts in translation, and the use of abundant illustrations re-create the rich and varied religious life of ancient Greece.