The ancient world was “a world full of gods,” according to Keith Hopkins, and this certainly extends to the Greek city. Greek religion has been considered in various ways, but almost always in relationship with the city. Cities were known by their gods - what would Athens be without Athena, or Corinth without Aphrodite? Even great interstate sanctuaries such as Olympia and Delphi were principally characterized for their promotion of civic rivalry. In fact much of what it meant to be a citizen was defined through cult and public ritual.
But was civic religion always political? What about public cults that were directed towards individuals, such as healing or mystery cults, and how should we consider private practices such as curses or initiation rites?
The triangular relationship between individual, community and the divine is the focus of this website as we explore the wide range of religious experiences in the ancient Greek city, using a variety of historical, literary and archaeological sources.
But was civic religion always political? What about public cults that were directed towards individuals, such as healing or mystery cults, and how should we consider private practices such as curses or initiation rites?
The triangular relationship between individual, community and the divine is the focus of this website as we explore the wide range of religious experiences in the ancient Greek city, using a variety of historical, literary and archaeological sources.
This website was created in the fall of 2013 by MA students from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, in fulfillment of the requirements for the course 'City Full of Gods. Religion, Society and Politics in the Greek City' offered by the department of History for students of Ancient History with the Masters program in History and the Masters program in Classics and Ancient Civilizations.
The course began with seven plenary sessions in which various aspects of religion were discussed with regard to ritual and mythology, and related to the organization of the ancient Greek city. After this, students worked on their own research projects, clustered according to theme.
This website presents a popular version of the results of their research, with a wider and more general audience in mind.
The course began with seven plenary sessions in which various aspects of religion were discussed with regard to ritual and mythology, and related to the organization of the ancient Greek city. After this, students worked on their own research projects, clustered according to theme.
This website presents a popular version of the results of their research, with a wider and more general audience in mind.
Contact: Dr. C.G. Williamson
email: [email protected]
Links
http://www.uva.nl/onderwijs/master/masteropleidingen/nav/programmetype/masters/item/geschiedenis.html
https://www.facebook.com/OudHistoriciUvA
https://www.facebook.com/svACASA
email: [email protected]
Links
http://www.uva.nl/onderwijs/master/masteropleidingen/nav/programmetype/masters/item/geschiedenis.html
https://www.facebook.com/OudHistoriciUvA
https://www.facebook.com/svACASA