Ancient Greek Religionprovides an introduction to the fundamental beliefs and practices and the major deities of Greek religion. While the focus is on Athens in the classical period, the book includes detailed discussion of Greek gods and heroes, myth and cult from the archaic age to the Hellenistic world.

The book clearly sets out the fascinating but alien concepts of Greek polytheism, building up a picture of Greek religion as it was actually practiced. It emphasizes the experience of worshippers, considering Greek religious practice from a variety of perspectives — from that of the slave and members of the family, to that of priests and public officials. It examines views of the gods and the afterlife, the relationship between cult and myth, the nature of piety and impiety, and the wider social and political context in which religion functioned.

Throughout the book, vivid descriptions of actual sanctuaries and practices, the inclusion of ancient texts in translation, and the use of abundant illustrations re-create the rich and varied religious life of ancient Greece.

"A brilliant general synthesis covering the Greek world over the period of 'classical' Athens ... [Mikalson's] book is a model of how it should be done." BBC History Magazine<!--end-->

"This book will fill an obvious gap and I shall make it my first recommendation to students looking to start out in the field." Emily Kearns, St Hilda’s College, Oxford

"A first introduction to ancient Greek religion, which encompasses hudreds of deities of several different types, and varied widely over nearly two thousand years and thousands of large and small Greek city-states." Reference and Research Book News

"Clearly written and organised, it will be appreciated by students." Antiquity

A ChoiceOutstanding Academic Title of the Year

"It is well written, very accurate, and communicative."

Australian Religion Studies Review

Jon D. Mikalsonis William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor of Classics at the University of Virginia. His previous publications include Athenian Popular Religion(1983), Honor Thy Gods: Popular Religion in Greek Tragedy(1991) and Religion in Hellenistic Athens (1998).

List of figures.

List of maps.

Preface.

Abbreviations.

1. An Overview: Greek Sanctuaries and Worship.

2. Greek Gods, Heroes, and Polytheism.

3. Seven Greek Cult Myths.

4. Five Major Greek Cults.

5. Religion in the Greek Family and Village.

6. Religion of the Greek City-State.

7. Greek Religion and the Individual.

8. Greek Religion in the Hellenistic Period.

Index