Product Description

Jon Davies charts the significance of death to the emerging religious cults in the pre-Christian and early Christian world. He also draws on the sociological theory of Max Weber to present a comprehensive introduction to the subject.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #784711 in Books
• Published on: 1999-06-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Review
"This popular study affords a convenient introduction to the subject for beginning students of religion in the Hellenistic era and early Christian centuries."
-David F. Graf, "Religious Studies Review
"The sweep of this study is impressive...."
-Jospeh L. Rife, Classics, Cornell University, "Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2002
"In this comprehensive introduction about death, the author chronicles its significance in the emerging cults of the early Christian world. He also analyzes the burial rituals, the various concepts of the afterlife and the nature of martyrdom. An interesting sociological book, for the interested reader.."
-" The Bibliography of Ancient Egypt

From the Back Cover
Christianity came into existence in a world in which religion was of central importance. In any religious culture, the treatment of death is of central importance.
In Death, Burial and Rebirth in the Religions of Antiquity, Jon Davies charts the significance of death in the religions and cults of the pre-Christian and early Christian world. He analyses varied funerary rituals and examines different notions of the afterlife. Among the areas covered are:
Isis and Osiris, Baal and Ahura Mazda: the thanatologies of Ancient Near East
Burying the Jewish dead
Roman religion and Roman funerals
Christian burial
The nature of martyrdom
Jon Davies also draws on the sociological theory of Max Weber to present a comprehensive introduction to and overview of death, burial and rebirth in the first Christian centuries which offers insights into the relationship between social change and attitudes to death and dying.