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The Secret Sacred
Mystery Cults in Ancient Greece and Rome
Brief Description
The Secret Sacred explores the hidden religious practices of the classical world. These cults, shrouded in secrecy, promised initiates a transformative afterlife. While many rituals remain mysterious, artworks and historical texts provide glimpses of their underlying beliefs. The book examines Greco-Roman religious traditions and their divergence...
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Format: Hardback
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See moreA lively account of the concealed faiths of the ancient world.
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Description
The Secret Sacred explores the hidden religious practices of the classical world. These cults, shrouded in secrecy, promised initiates a transformative afterlife. While many rituals remain mysterious, artworks and historical texts provide glimpses of their underlying beliefs.
The book examines Greco-Roman religious traditions and their divergence into mystery cults, including Bacchic ceremonies depicted in frescoes, Orphic gold tablets guiding souls in the underworld, and the Eleusinian Mysteries celebrating Demeter and Persephone's cycle of rebirth.
Eastern deities like Mithras, Isis, and Cybele also feature in the cults discussed. The possible influence of mystery religions on early Christianity is also explored, drawing parallels with modern-day beliefs.
Featuring the most recent archaeological discoveries and stunning museum artefacts, this is a lively account of the concealed faiths of the ancient world.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781836391098
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 15 September 2025
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Illustration: 69 illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 138.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 216
About the Author
Damien Stone is an archaeologist who lives in Sydney, Australia. His books include The Hittites: Lost Civilizations (Reaktion Books, 2023).
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