Product Description

This is the first major synthesis of Greek religion to appear for a generation. A clearly structured and readable survey for classical scholars and students, it will also be generally welcomed as the best modern account of any polytheistic religious system. The text builds up an impressive and coherent picture of the current state of knowledge about the religion of the ancient Greeks.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #291830 in Books
• Published on: 1987-03-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 504 pages

Review
"A powerful synthesis from the greatest living authority on the subject, but for all its depth and detail, it is never less than lucid and the text is constantly enlivened with vivid asides and illuminating analogies." The Times

"The leading continental scholar ... his Greek Religion... already has the standing of a classic." London Review of Books

"A masterpiece, packed with learning but also rich in ideas and connections of every sort ... nobody else could have produced an account of the subject of comparable range and power. This will be the best history of Greek religion for this generation." New York Review of Books

From the Back Cover
This is the first major synthesis of Greek religion to appear for a generation. A clearly structured and readable survey for classical scholars and students, it will also be generally welcomed as the best modern account of any polytheistic religious system. The text builds up an impressive and coherent picture of the current state of knowledge about the religion of the ancient Greeks.

Customer Reviews

No other book offers as much as Burkert's Greek Religion!
This is the single most comprehensive book on Greek Religion available. It covers almost every aspect of Greek popular religion, as well as those often neglected areas. Burkert allows us to compare both Olympian, Chthonic and Social religions in an almost inexhaustible array of information and sources. For all its subject matter, this book is more than just a beginners' text, being highly academic and detailed.

If you can only ever buy one book on the subject, then make sure it is this one!

A standard text for students of Greek Religion
Burkert is one of the foremost scholars on Greek Religion, and this book is a fantastic foundation for people of all levels of knowledge, from beginner to graduate student. He covers important concepts, such as organization, sacrifice, and the pantheon, as well as regional and chronological variations. His book _Ancient_Mystery_Cults_ is also fantastic! Both books are great places to start your research into this subject and are invaluable reference tools for those of us in graduate school.