Rotting Goddess: The Origins of the Witch in Classical Antiquity [Paperback]

Jacob Rabinowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

Witchcraft in antiquity, and particularly the Goddess Hekate, has never been seriously studied, but sidelined as an variety of magic, or as a purely literary phenomenon, or as identical to the much-later Salemists. Here, then, is the first complete and comprehensive study of the topic from the time of Homer to the Greek Magical Papyri (800 bc–400 ad), examining the slow stages by which Hekate was demonized and the mythology of the evil witch arose, and how it was not until hundreds of years later that the actual practice of witchcraft developed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Autonomedia (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157027035X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570270352
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice addition to your Hekate library., November 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Rotting Goddess: The Origins of the Witch in Classical Antiquity (Paperback)

Although this book was written in a "scholarly" style, it is still an easy read and an enjoyable one. The premise of the book is that greco-roman witchcraft originated in literature and Hekate witchcraft came later and as a result of the literature. The author shows how Hekate's cthonic traits were originally benign but were artificially empahsised to eventually turn her into "Queen of the Witches". He also shows us how the literary witch is actually a debased form of the Goddess.Some of the presumptions the author makes are a bit of a leap but as a whole this is a really good book. enjoy!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compassionate view of a mistreated Goddess, June 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] Jon H. (Santa Ana, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rotting Goddess: The Origins of the Witch in Classical Antiquity (Paperback)

Books such as When God was a Woman" by Merlin Stone or "The Language of the Goddess" by Marija Gimbutas reframe the role and signifigance of the Goddess in the evolution of religion. "The Rotting Goddess" continues in this vein to explore Hecate as an example of the treatment of the Goddess in the civilizations of classical antiquity. Parallell to the ancient debasement of the Goddess is the emergence of the Witch--her priestess. While Rabinowitz' writing can be challenging, as all classical scholarship is; the book is well worth navigating for its compassionate treatment of an abused Goddess. The book is a worthy addition to contemporary explorations of the ancient Goddess religions.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work, September 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Rotting Goddess: The Origins of the Witch in Classical Antiquity (Paperback)

This is a very informative book, which expertly counters some of the erroneous understandings stubbornly clung to by modern scholars. The Rotting Goddess is a scholarly work in its own right, and the author employs sound methodology in his presentation. This is sure to annoy many modern scholars whose own views come up short in comparison.

Essentially the book deals with archaic concepts regarding witches, focusing mainly on classical witchcraft, since this is the oldest material in Western literature about witches and witchcraft. The author nicely demonstrates how the image of Hecate shifts from a Great Goddess figure to a chthonic crone figure over the centuries, and how the villification of witches follows suit in a parallel course.

Every witch and wiccan should have a copy of this book on their bookcase, and should read it at least twice.