Coping with the Gods

Wayward Readings in Greek Theology
Erscheinungsjahr 2011
ISBN: 978-90-04-20490-4
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 173, 594 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 1137 g

Reihe: Religions in the Graeco-Roman World

Inspired by a critical reconsideration of current monolithic approaches to the study of Greek religion, this book argues that ancient Greeks displayed a disquieting capacity to validate two (or more) dissonant, if not contradictory, representations of the divine world in a complementary rather than mutually exclusive manner. From this perspective the six chapters explore problems inherent in: order vs. variety/chaos in polytheism, arbitrariness vs. justice in theodicy, the peaceful co-existence of mono- and polytheistic theologies, human traits in divine imagery, divine omnipotence vs. limitation of power, and ruler cult. Based on an intimate knowledge of ancient realia and literary testimonia the book stands out for its extensive application of relevant perceptions drawn from cultural anthropology, theology, cognitive science, psychology, and linguistics.

Zielgruppe

The book will be of interest to classicists, historians, historians of religion and philosophy, and anthropologists, and should be required reading for anyone who accepts the title theologian.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Versnel, Henk

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Geschichte der klassischen Antike
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsgeschichte

Über Autor(innen)

Versnel, Henk
Henk S. Versnel, Ph.D. (1970) in Classics (Leiden), is Emeritus Professor in Ancient History (University Leiden). He has published extensively on Greek and Roman myth, ritual, magic and religion, including two volumes on "Inconsistencies in Greek and Roman Religion" (Brill, 1990 and 1993).