Synopses & Reviews
Drawn from the acclaimed
Oxford Classical Dictionary,
The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion offers a fully rounded guide to all aspects of religious life and thought in ancient Greece and Rome. Highly authoritative, this new book covers not only Greek mythologies and Roman festivals, but also devotes attention to topics such as Greek and Roman religious places, monuments, authors and texts, religious organization, imagery, divination, astrology, and magic. Unlike many other references on ancient Greece and Rome, the
Dictionary also includes many entries on Judaism and Christianity in the classical world.
The editors, area advisors for the third edition of the Oxford Classical Dictionary, have selected, revised, edited, and in some instances completely recast a large number of entries from the OCD to create this handy and accessible reference. The main text is supplemented by an important introductory essay providing overviews of mythology, religious pluralism in the ancient world, and the reception of myths from antiquity to the present. In addition to a helpful thematic index and extensive cross-references, the text is further supported by three maps and six genealogies.
Backed by the authority and scholarly rigor of the renowned Oxford Classical Dictionary, The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion is a valuable A-Z reference and is as ideal a tool for students and teachers of ancient history as it is for all classics lovers.
Review
"A model of comprehensiveness and clarity....It is an excellent addition to the series."--School Library Journal
"A generally accessible and academically current compendium of information on gods and holy beings, religious practices, festivals, sacred rites, myths, authors, and texts....a useful one-volume compendium."--Library Journal
"A model of comprehensiveness and clarity....It is an excellent addition to the series." --School Library Journal
About the Author
Simon Price has been teaching Ancient History at Oxford since 1981 and is the author of numerous books on religion in ancient Greece and Rome. He has worked extensively on ancient religions, primarily Greek and Roman, but he is also interested in the relations between those religions and Judaism and Christianity.
Emily Kearns has held various teaching appointments in Oxford and London since 1990 and has been lecturer in Classical Languages and Literature at St. Hilda's College, Oxford.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Introduction:
1. Mythology: Panhellenic, Local, and Roman
2. Religious Pluralism: Greek Religions, Roman Religions, Judaisms, Christianities
3. Reception of Myths: Antiquity to the Present
4. How to Use this Book
5. Acknowledgements
6. Annotated Bibliography
Thematic Index
A-Z Entries
Maps
Genealogies