This classic study offers an understanding of the ancient religious cults, exploring their appeal and eventual failure in the face of Christianity. Topics include the Eleusinian mysteries of ancient Greece; Asiatic cults of Cybele, the Magna Mater, and Attis; Dionysian groups; Orphics; Egyptian devotees of Isis and Osiris; Mithraism; and others.
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49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Study of the Mystery Religions,
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This review is from: The Mystery-Religions (Paperback)
First published in the 1920s, this work is still the standard on the various mystery religions so popular in Greece and Rome before the establishment of Christianity. (Interesting parallels between the mystery faiths and early Christianity are discussed, without either apology or venom, but with an avid interest.)While these mystery faiths were extremely popular, they were nonetheless secret societies. Many references to their rites and doctrines exist in surviving ancient sources; these references, however, are necessarily veiled. S. Angus does a beautiful job in arranging these fragments to present an intriguing mosaic. Another classic on ancient Mediterranean religion would be James George Frazer's The Golden Bough. For a more recent study, see Michael Grant, Myths of the Greeks and Romans, which includes a discussion of the mystery religions.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"A Superb Survey of the Mystery-Religions",
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This review is from: The Mystery-Religions (Paperback)
What will be found in the Anglican scholar Samuel Angus,' "The Mystery-Religions," is an informative overview of the principle cults which dominated the Mediterranean world from Alexander's conquests up to the early centuries of the Christian era. The crux of this work lies in Angus' erudite analysis of the various factors which facilitated the spread and subsequent decline of the Mystery-Religions, and likewise the factors that ultimately aided the spread and triumph of Christianity. He is clear in his presentation of key points and sincere with the information he provides. Angus' deep familiarity with both the ancient texts and the current modern scholarship of his times, on the whole, presents a well-researched work valuable for students and scholars alike. This work is an enduring masterpiece, which offers readers a complete and useful tool for understanding the multifaceted belief systems of the Mystery-Religions.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hmmm...,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Mystery-Religions (Paperback)
This book is interesting, but it is very dry. It was originally published in the 1920's, and that does show. There are untranslated quotations of Latin and Greek that the author uses to illustrate his points. This is great if you can read Latin and Greek, but if not then you should order a dictionary as well...
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IN order to a proper understanding of the strange phenomenon presented by the rapid spread of the Eastern Mystery-cults in the Graeco-Roman world, the conflict of Christianity with, and ultimate triumph over, its competitors, the gradual and finally almost complete subjugation of the West to Oriental ways and thoughts and modes of worship, we must take into account the political, social, and religious history of the Mediterranean world during the period of approximately seven centuries, from the invasion of the East by Alexander the Great in 334 B.C. until the foundation of Constantinople by the first Christian emperor in A.D. 327. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Alexander the Great, Jesus Christ, Clement of Alexandria, Fourth Gospel, Marcus Aurelius, Liturgy of Mithra, Minucius Felix, Villa Item, Firmicus Maternus, Greek Bible, Apollonius of Tyana, Asia Minor, Hymn of Regeneration, Influence of Greek Ideas, Old Testament, Alexander Severus, British Museum, Church's Task, Lord Serapis, Magna Graecia, New Testament, Christ Jesus, Environment of Early Christianity, Julius Caesar, Kingdom of God New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
IN order to a proper understanding of the strange phenomenon presented by the rapid spread of the Eastern Mystery-cults in the Graeco-Roman world, the conflict of Christianity with, and ultimate triumph over, its competitors, the gradual and finally almost complete subjugation of the West to Oriental ways and thoughts and modes of worship, we must take into account the political, social, and religious history of the Mediterranean world during the period of approximately seven centuries, from the invasion of the East by Alexander the Great in 334 B.C. until the foundation of Constantinople by the first Christian emperor in A.D. 327. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Alexander the Great, Jesus Christ, Clement of Alexandria, Fourth Gospel, Marcus Aurelius, Liturgy of Mithra, Minucius Felix, Villa Item, Firmicus Maternus, Greek Bible, Apollonius of Tyana, Asia Minor, Hymn of Regeneration, Influence of Greek Ideas, Old Testament, Alexander Severus, British Museum, Church's Task, Lord Serapis, Magna Graecia, New Testament, Christ Jesus, Environment of Early Christianity, Julius Caesar, Kingdom of God New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
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55
books
cite this book:
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- Mysteries of Mithra by Franz Cumont on 4 pages
- Christian Mysticism by William R. Inge on 4 pages
- Quests Old and New by G. R. S. Mead on page 54, and Back Matter
- From Religion to Philosophy by Francis MacDonald Cornford on page 13, and Back Matter
- Religion of the Semites by William Robertson Smith on page 85, and Back Matter
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- Capturing the Pagan Mind: Paul's Blueprint for Thinking and Living in the New Global Culture by Peter Jones on 6 pages
- Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures or the Wisdom in a Mystery by William Kingsland on 4 pages
- Progressive Christianity: A Study Of The Old Faith And The New Reformation by William A. Vrooman on 4 pages
- The Lord's Supper (William Barclay Library) by William Barclay on 4 pages
- Origins of Sacrifice by E. O. James on page 139, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 55 books citing this book
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