Greek and Roman Religion

Classics and Ancient History, Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity

College of Arts and Law

Details

Code 19671

Level of study Second Year

Credit value 20

Semester Not currently scheduled, 1 and 2

Module description

Each session will address a particular topic. Worksheets and a bibliography will be provided in advance by web. Source material will be made available on the web. Topics such as the following will be included in this module:

  • Semester 1: GREECE: Holy places (groves, hills, precincts) and the buildings (if any) to be found on them; priesthood; sacrifice, festival, calendar; gods, heroes, trees and stones as objects of worship; the nature of god-sets, names and epithets; divination, oracles; mystery-cults; the calendar; mystery rites; and ecstatic practices.

  • Semester 2: ROME: The imperial and official cults, religion in the provinces (eg Britain); eastern so-called 'mystery religions' with a detailed look at Mithras and Isis; Christianity - martyrdom and adoption; and, if time allows, magic, astrology, dream-interpretation, oracle-mongering (Alexander of Abonouteichos).