Inner Purity and Pollution in Greek Religion

Volume I: Early Greek Religion

Nonfiction, History, Ancient History, Greece, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book Inner Purity and Pollution in Greek Religion by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic ISBN: 9780191080944
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: October 6, 2016
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
ISBN: 9780191080944
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: October 6, 2016
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Was Ancient Greek religion really 'mere ritualism'? Early Christians denounced the pagans for the disorderly plurality of their cults, and reduced Greek religion to ritual and idolatry; protestant theologians condemned the pagan 'religion of form' (with Catholicism as its historical heir). For a long time, scholars tended to conceptualize Greek religion as one in which belief did not matter, and religiosity had to do with observance of rituals and religious practices, rather than with worshipers' inner investment. But what does it mean when Greek texts time and again speak of purity of mind, soul, and thoughts? This book takes a radical new look at the Ancient Greek notions of purity and pollution. Its main concern is the inner state of the individual worshipper as they approach the gods and interact with the divine realm in a ritual context. It is a book about Greek worshippers' inner attitudes towards the gods and rituals, and about what kind of inner attitude the Greek gods were envisaged to expect from their worshippers. In the wider sense, it is a book about the role of belief in ancient Greek religion. By exploring the Greek notions of inner purity and pollution from Hesiod to Plato, the significance of intrinsic, faith-based elements in Greek religious practices is revealed - thus providing the first history of the concepts of inner purity and pollution in early Greek religion.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Was Ancient Greek religion really 'mere ritualism'? Early Christians denounced the pagans for the disorderly plurality of their cults, and reduced Greek religion to ritual and idolatry; protestant theologians condemned the pagan 'religion of form' (with Catholicism as its historical heir). For a long time, scholars tended to conceptualize Greek religion as one in which belief did not matter, and religiosity had to do with observance of rituals and religious practices, rather than with worshipers' inner investment. But what does it mean when Greek texts time and again speak of purity of mind, soul, and thoughts? This book takes a radical new look at the Ancient Greek notions of purity and pollution. Its main concern is the inner state of the individual worshipper as they approach the gods and interact with the divine realm in a ritual context. It is a book about Greek worshippers' inner attitudes towards the gods and rituals, and about what kind of inner attitude the Greek gods were envisaged to expect from their worshippers. In the wider sense, it is a book about the role of belief in ancient Greek religion. By exploring the Greek notions of inner purity and pollution from Hesiod to Plato, the significance of intrinsic, faith-based elements in Greek religious practices is revealed - thus providing the first history of the concepts of inner purity and pollution in early Greek religion.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Modern Italy: A Very Short Introduction by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book The CRF Signal by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book A Woman's Disease by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book Losing Touch by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book Telecommunications Law and Regulation by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Law and Economics by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book History of Universities by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book The Oxford Illustrated History of the Renaissance by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book Beyond the Code by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book The Picture of Dorian Gray by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book Infectious Disease: A Very Short Introduction by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book Out-of-Body and Near-Death Experiences by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Process Philosophy and Organization Studies by Andrej Petrovic, Ivana Petrovic
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy