Greek Religion by Walter Burkert, John Raffan (Translator)
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Textbook (Paperback - Reprint)
- 512pp
- Sales Rank: 136,731
Textbook Information
- ISBN-13: 9780674362819
- Edition Description: Reprint
- Edition Number: 1
- Pub. Date: July 2008
- Publisher: Harvard University Press
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: July 2008
- Publisher: Harvard University Press
- Format: Textbook Paperback, 512pp
- Sales Rank: 136,731
- ISBN-13: 9780674362819
- ISBN: 0674362810
- Edition Number: 1
- Edition Description: Reprint
Synopsis
In this book Walter Burkert, the most eminent living historian of ancient Greek religion, has produced the standard work for our time on that subject. First published in German in 1977, it has now been translated into English with the assistance of the author himself. A clearly structured and readable survey for students and scholars, it will be welcomed as the best modern account of any polytheistic religious system.
Burkert draws on archaeological discoveries, insights from other disciplines, and inscriptions in Linear B to reconstruct the practices and beliefs of the Minoan-Mycenaean age. The major part of his book is devoted to the archaic and classical epochs. He describes the various rituals of sacrifice and libation and explains Greek beliefs about purification. He investigates the inspiration behind the great temples at Olympia, Delphi, Delos, and the Acropolis - discussing the priesthood, sanctuary, and oracles. Considerable attention is given to the individual gods, the position of the heroes, and beliefs about the afterlife. The different festivals are used to illuminate the place of religion in the society of the city-state. The mystery cults, at Eleusis and among the followers of Bacchus and Orpheus, are also set in that context. The book concludes with an assessment of the great classical philosophers' attitudes to religion.
Insofar as possible, Burkert lets the evidence -- from literature and legend, vase paintings and archaeology -- speak for itself; he elucidates the controversies surrounding its interpretation without glossing over the enigmas that remain. Throughout, the notes (updated for the English-language edition) afford a wealth of furtherreferences as the text builds up its coherent picture of what is known of the religion of ancient Greece.
Library Journal
Chapter titles suggest Burkert's scope and treatment of the multiple facets of Greek religion, focusing upon the period 800-300 B.C.: Prehistory and the Minoan-Mycenaean Age; Ritual and Sanctuary; The Gods; The Dead, Heroes, and Chthonic Gods; Polis and Polytheism; Mysteries and Asceticism; Philosophical Religion. References to publications since the German edition of 1977 are included. Generally, this is a praiseworthy overview of a difficult subject. However, an unidiomatic English translation makes for added difficulties in coping with Burkert's relentless scholarshipreplete with dogmatic hypotheses and often unconvincing conclusions. Greater judicious clarity would have made this important work less frustrating for the scholar and more accessible to the student of religion. Robert J. Lenardon, Classics Dept., Siena Coll. & SUNY at Albany
More Reviews and RecommendationsBiography
Walter Burkert is Professor Emeritus of Classics, University of Zurich.
Customer Reviews
Best secondary sourceby Oneira
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October 28, 2008: There are actually few books out there on this subject. I guess books on Greek mythology just sell better. While there is mythology in this book it focuses on the actual religious practices of the ancient Greeks. This is a priceless resource for anyone interested in the subjects of Classics, Ancient Greece, Ancient Religions, or Mythology. This book was the starting ground for my own research area in Classics (Ancient Religions of Greece and the Mediterranean in general). It's extremely well organized and informative. I've read it many times and will probably read it many more. There's a lot of information but it's given in a very understandable way.
I Also Recommend: Volume I, Theogony. Works and Days. Testimonia (Loeb Classical Library), The Homeric Hymns.
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