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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 292.08
EAN num: 9780674362819
ISBN number: 0674362810
Label: Harvard University Press
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 512
Printing Date: July 26, 1985
Publishing house: Harvard University Press
Sale Popularity Level: 415626
Studio: Harvard University Press
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
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 further references as the text builds up its coherent picture of what is known of the religion of ancient Greece.
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Rated by buyers 
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Burkert's thorough examination of ancient Greek religion is where anyone wishing to seriously study Hellenistic religion should begin. Also, his book "Ancient Mystery Cults" is equally elucidating. Burkert's writing style is slightly tedious, but the treasure trove of information it provides makes the process very much worthwhile.
Highly recommended as a first-read for any serious student of Hellenic paganism.
Rated by buyers 
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Walter Burket's "Greek Religion" is an intense survey of Hellenistic religious beliefs from their earliest Minoan and Mycennean antecedents. This review will summarize the material contained within the study, extrapolate the central themes of the text, and finally shall offer an analysis of the text with regard to its presentation of data, use of archaeological and primary sources, and its intended audience.
The material is diverse within it's scope. Whereas other survey-type texts only include an overview of the basic Olympian Gods, and perhaps a marginal mentioning of some of the major festivals, Burket's text provides the reader with an in-depth look at all of those issues as well as giving the reader the, "why", as best as he could surmise through his research. He is blunt about stating the lack of comprehensive written resources, and does not speculate too far beyond the scant information he does possess. To the researcher this is valuable, as massive leaps are not made from what does exist to what may possibly have been the case.
As previously mentioned, the very first few chapters of the text offer a brief chronology of what was happening spiritually in the pre-Hellenistic Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. This provides the reader with an appropriate historical context within which to frame the discusion of later spiritual beliefs. The scope of the text covers a vast time period of that prehistory, from approximately 1500-1200 B.C., then continues on to describe the formation of a distinctly Greek religion developing from those antecedents at or about the ninth/eighth century. The chronological scope concludes at or about the time of the conquests of Alexander and the rise of religious philosophers who attempted to rationalize the world around them, usually without employing polytheistic spiritual beliefs.
The people whose belief systems are studied are all of those who fell within the geographic scope of this text, which includes all of those who spoke the Greek language and had Greek literature at their disposal. In what or who did those peoples believe? Burket is quick to tell us that there is a great deal of speculation, but scant evidence to actually confirm the full scope of Minoan and later Mycenaean belief systems. From what archaeological and scant written evidence exists in the forms of Linear A and Linear B, as well as referencing the work of his predecessors, Burket is able to reconstruct a basic set of deities and holy places. Minoan civilization seemed to heavily favor female goddesses to include but not limited to, the Snake Goddess, who was essentially a house goddess. Evidence of the existence of male deities is limited, at best. The "Minoan Tree and Pillar Cult," which was a set of sanctuaries at which worship was conducted were also important. The trees and pillars, although sacred sites, were not themselves worshipped. Also important, especially on Crete not only in Minoan and Mycenaean traditions, but with elements carried over into the later Hellenistic tradition was symbology related to the bull. Although there is no evidence that the bull was worshipped as a god, the sacred symbols and festivals celebrating the bull persist. Mycenaean Gods are discussed, and for the very first time the reader is introduced, based upon archaeological evidence, (specifically Linear B tablets recovered from Knossos and Pylos on Crete,) among others, to the gods and goddesses that would become the familiar Olympian deities.
Section III of the text delves into a discusion of the Olympian and related gods and goddesses. It relies heavily on the work of Homer, Hesiod, and Xenophanes for the purpose of providing the reader with general genealogical information, then moves into archaeological and historical evidence which paints a broader picture of the gods and goddesses in several different contexts, specifically, how the deity evolved from different influences, an overview of how cult was paid, and how the individual regarded the deity. Interesting to note is the evidence Burket provides stating that most all of the Greek deities had much earlier influences, some more important than others. For example, he points out how earlier researchers, "sought to connect Athena with the Snake Goddess" from earlier Minoan civilization, then continues to show her with antecedents in Syrian culture, at Troy, and at other sites in and around the Mediterranean. Although this text is traditionally regarded as a survey by many critics, it covers each of the traditional Olympian gods and goddesses in significant detail, as well as some of the lesser deities and sprits, such as nature deities including the rivers, nymphs, Gaia and Helios. The final section discusses the availability if not importance of foreign gods in the polytheistic Pantheon, divine and/or semi-divine figures such as Heroes and the Dead, to whom cult was also paid by the ... Read More
Rated by buyers -
Burkert leaves no stones unturned in this survey of Greek religion. Everything you would want to know about religion is covered here. Topics include the manifold origins of Hellenic religion; a detailed discusion of the innumerable divinities who constitute the actual focus of the religion; cults, rituals, sacrifices, temples and the like; and finally the impact of the philosophical schools. As a reference and research material it is currently second to none.
My favorite section is the one that outlined the Olympian gods themselves. Many of the Greek gods are not actually Greek. Bet you didn't learn that in school.
There are some problems with this book, though. The very first is the incredibly dry and monotonous tone of the book. Obviously academic books are not meant to read like poetry, but either Burkert or his translator is uncannily dull even for a professor. The second is the sheer scope and depth of the book may cause some people to actually drown in an overload of details.
For these two reasons I took a star off the ratings. I actually don't recommend this book for the beginner. If you're a neophyte to the serious study of Greek religion, there are less severe works out there. But if you already have some exposure to the subject and want to take your research to the subsequent level, then this book just might be for you.
Rated by buyers -
Burkert's Greek Religion is the perfect handbook for any serious student of archaic and classical Greek religion. Burkert is a thorough scholar, and treats the diverse and complex problem of Greek religion from its Minoan-Mycenaean precursors through the esoteric Mysteries. Burkert cleanly and succinctly addresses Greek ritual practices and provides accurate and enlightening
definitions of the mainstays of Greek religion - from temple (naos) to cult image (xaonon) to the gods themselves. Burkert's text is an invaluable resource no student of classical studies should be without.
Rated by buyers -
...BR>I have had many books on the Hellenic Religion, but none struck me as Walter Burkert's book Greek Religion has. Burkert is not afraid to let his readers know that there is not much information on Ancient Greek practices. He explores the religion, telling what is fact, and what was possible. His book, and the book Old Stones, New Temples, are great starter books for anyone considering practicing Hellenic Religion. Unlike other Pagan associated books, Burkert has a huge bibliography of resources for where his information comes from. Though he does quote from within his network, as many Pagan authors do, he also draws from other sources. This is definately one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is one of my top recommended buys...
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