European Paganism
The realities of cult from antiquity to the Middle Ages
1st Edition
Published on 1. April 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
390 pages
978-0-415-47463-4 (ISBN)
Description
European Paganism provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of ancient pagan religions throughout the European continent.
Before there where Christians, the peoples of Europe were pagans. Were they bloodthirsty savages hanging human offerings from trees? Were they happy ecologists, valuing the unpolluted rivers and mountains? In European Paganism Ken Dowden outlines and analyses the diverse aspects of pagan ritual and culture from human sacrifice to pilgrimage lunar festivals and tree worship. It includes:
* a 'timelines' chart to aid with chronology
* many quotations from ancient and modern sources translated from the original language where necessary, to make them accessible
* a comprehensive bibliography and guide to further reading.
Before there where Christians, the peoples of Europe were pagans. Were they bloodthirsty savages hanging human offerings from trees? Were they happy ecologists, valuing the unpolluted rivers and mountains? In European Paganism Ken Dowden outlines and analyses the diverse aspects of pagan ritual and culture from human sacrifice to pilgrimage lunar festivals and tree worship. It includes:
* a 'timelines' chart to aid with chronology
* many quotations from ancient and modern sources translated from the original language where necessary, to make them accessible
* a comprehensive bibliography and guide to further reading.
Reviews / Votes
'Masterful overview ... Dowden has a winning way with words, and a gift for making the complexities of faith simple and accessible.' - The Independent'The book is a delight to read. Dowden has an attractive style, and chooses his quotations so that they illuminate the matters he is discussing.' - D. Cohen, Wood and Water, No. 71
'European Paganism is vintage Ken Dowden and that, of course means its always challenging and informative and often very amusing.' - Greece and Rome
'Hutton shows us that paganism is a matter of interest not only for the classicst and archaeologist, but for the modern historian as well. In doing so his Triumph of the Moon proves to be a triumph of cultural history.' - Owen Davies
'This is a colussus of a book. It approaches a familiar subject from fresh angles and provides a whole new perspective on European Paganism ... One of the most important books to be written on the subject - ever!' - Pagan Dawn
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
591 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-47463-4 (9780415474634)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
10/1999
1st Edition
Routledge
€207.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Ken Dowden
Content
Chapter 01 Approaching Paganism; Chapter 02 Dividing the Landscape; Chapter 03 Focus I: Spring, Lake River; Chapter 04 Focus II: Stone and Tree; Chapter 05 Area I: Land; Chapter 06 Area II: Growth; Chapter 07 Technology: Statues, Shrines and Temples; Chapter 08 Christian Paganism; Chapter 09 Pagan Rite; Chapter 10 Pagan Time; Chapter 11 A Few Aspects of Gods; Chapter 12 Priests; Chapter 13 Cradle to Grave; Chapter 14 Unity is the Thing;