Mystery cults are one of the most intriguing areas of Greek and Roman religion. In the Night Mysteries of Eleusis, participants dramatically reenacted the story of Demeter's loss and recovery of her daughter Persephone; in Bacchic worship, bands of women ran wild across the Greek countryside to honor Dionysus; in the mysteries of Mithras, men came to understand the nature of the universe and their place in it thanks to frightening initiation ceremonies and astrological teachings.
These cults were an important part of life in the ancient Mediterranean world, but their actual practices were shrouded in secrecy. Mystery Cults in the Ancient World makes extensive use of artistic and archaeological evidence, as well as ancient literature and epigraphy, to reconstruct sacred rituals and explore their origins. Greek painted pottery, Roman frescoes, inscribed gold tablets from Greek and southern Italian tombs, and excavated sites of religious shrines all contribute to our understanding of ancient mystery cults. Not only is this clearly written book a significant contribution to the study of these sects, it is also accessible to the general public. More than any other book on ancient religion, it allows the listener to understand what it was like to participate in these life-changing religious events.
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