Customer Reviews

The Mystery-Religions

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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.

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.

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...

Anyone curious for a well written collegiate level review of the Ancient Mysteries and the similarities found in Christianity will find this work complete.

I don't believe a better work on this topic has been written.

For the esoterically minded, Hermeticist, Freemason, Rosicrucian, look no further.

As someone with no background in this type of material, I was curious surrounding some of hype of the "Da Vinci code" so I picked up this tome. After a difficult start due to my lack of knowledge in this field of studies. I read slowly then avidly and gained so much from this very learned man. It is a balanced book it that does not have any agenda only that it speaks the truth. Now as for the level of writing these types of books do go beyond the college-lite education that is so common today. The style is lucid and clear and with an excellent usage of vocabulary.

This work is extremely outdated and presents an old view of mystery religions as simply an early version of Christianity. Anyone interested in the mystery cults is best advised to avoid this work.

Owning this book is a necessity for anyone and everyone interested in the subject of ancient mystery religions and cultic practices. An in-depth study (out-dated though it is, on occasion), it's both penetrating and insightful. A must for the serious student of ancient mythology and religion.

Ian Driscoll, author of Atlantis: Egyptian Genesis

The true origins of Christianity are explored in depth and dogma is set aside in favor of esoteric philosophy. A wonderful wonderful book.