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The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook of Sacred Texts Paperback – April 9, 1999

by Marvin W. Meyer (Editor)
4.5 out of 5 stars 17 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 280 pages
  • Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press; 1st University of Pennsylvania Press Ed edition (April 9, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 081221692X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0812216929
  • Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA powerful tool for serious students
By John Harrison on November 24, 2001
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
A powerful book for serious students. You'll discover the evidence firsthand, right from the pens of ancient authors.
The Mysteries (the term comes from the Greek word for "initiation") were a group of Pagan religions, dating from roughly 600 BC, that were distinct from the more familiar Pagan temple worship. The Gods of the Mystery religions had differing names and myths, but the faiths themselves had features in common: their Gods died and came back to life; they were personal religions entered into voluntarily via initiation ceremonies that reenacted the God's death and rebirth and were often described as giving salvation and even eternal life; they had ritual celebrations including food and drink that reenacted a holy meal established by the God; their teachings brought the faithful closer to an understanding of God.
Although you don't hear about them in Sunday School, mystery religions are an established part of modern religious scholarship. This book, complied by a mainstream scholar, is made up of a concise introduction to the Mysteries, followed by extended excerpts from ancient sources. You'll read about: the pagan god "incognito, disguised as a man"; pagan Gods dying and being reborn with the meaning that "the God is saved, and we shall have salvation."; initiation ceremonies described as "a voluntary death"; sacred meals; ceremonial washing; pagan miracles; the pagan god who changed water into wine; the pagan version of the great flood. And much more.
Not always easy reading, but a powerful book for serious students. Highly recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 starsexcellent source
By H. F. Gibbard on February 21, 2005
Format: Paperback
Marvin W. Meyer's "The Ancient Mysteries: A sourcebook of Sacred Texts" is a splendid resource for original texts pertaining to the ancient Greco-Roman mystery cults. Meyer covers the full range of mystery cults, from the mysteries of Demeter and Persephone, through the mysteries of Dionysos, the Great Mother, Isis, Osiris, and Mithras, finishing with the mysteries within Judaism and Christianity. The texts span a wide spectrum of viewpoints and sources, from relatively objective accounts by period historians, to manuals from within the cults governing discipline and worship, to actual hymns and stories by initiates such as Apuleius's "The Golden Ass." My favorite selection was his excerpts from the Orphic Hymns, reproduced from the incomparable translation by Apostolos Athanassakis, which inspired me to obtain and read the entire book.

Meyer provides a brief introduction to each form of the mysteries that he discusses, along with brief introductions to the excerpts he provides. This book is an excellent introduction to what the mysteries were, and how they were seen and experienced by initiates, dramatists and historians during the period when they flourished.
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5.0 out of 5 starsAncient Mysteries: A Sourcebook
By A Customer on October 21, 2000
Format: Paperback
This is one of my most cherished books in my home library. It has given me an understanding of the various Mystery Religions in the ancient Mediterranean World. Author Marvin Meyer has collected stories, verse, history, and magical tracts from an abundance of sources within the ancient world. Though my favorite is the Greek Mysteries of Demeter and Persephone, due to Meyer's work, I now have the context within which I can place their Mysteries. From the Mysteries of Dionysus and Isis and Osiris, to those of Judiasm and Christianity, and more, I have gained a sense of how the ancients might have related one type of Mystery to another. My deepest appreciation to this wonderful author.
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5.0 out of 5 starsInvaluable texts
By Luc REYNAERT on May 2, 2006
Format: Paperback
As Marvin M. Meyer explains in his excellent introduction, the Mysteries (from the Greek myein = to close) were associations of individuals: 'The Mysteries were secret religious groups composed of individuals who decided, through personal choice, to be initiated into the profound realities of one deity or another. They joined an association of people united in their quest for personal salvation.'

Unlike the Catholic Church or State religions, the Mysteries had no power base and no organized structure. They were an easy target for those who considered them as enemies or serious rivals in their power search. The Catholic Church attacked them fanatically in speech, picture and scripture. After becoming the official religion under Constantine the Great, the Roman Church convinced emperor Theodosius the Great to commit one of the most savage crimes against humanity: he ordered in A.D. 391 the abolition of all pagan mysteries and the destruction of their sanctuaries, giving at the same time a religious monopoly to the Pope.

This book contains excerpts of very well known works like 'Bakchai' by Euripides or 'The Golden Ass' by Apulejus, but also texts which are difficult to find.

The editor wrote a small introduction for each of the mysteries considered together with excellent bibliographies.

Not to be missed by all those interested in Ancient history.
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5.0 out of 5 starsFascinating & Informative
By Brian Smith on January 23, 2010
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This is an extremely well-written book. The translations of ancient texts are excellent and easy to read. Together with the explanations they enable the reader to get a deeper understanding and insight into religious beliefs in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Various religious practices from rituals and sacrifice to holy myths are well documented and explained.
Unfortunately most of these texts have only come down to us fragmented and secret teachings are mostly lost. As the only holy book (besides the Bible) that has survived intact from antiquity I would recommend The Life of Apollonius of Tyana.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

well written

Published 1 month ago by Richard Christensen
5.0 out of 5 starsAn immense resource for students of ancient pagan cults

Best one stop shop for texts, incantations, songs and other primary sources relating to the actual liturgies of ancient initiated cults. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Doug Welch
3.0 out of 5 starsI personally think there are much better books to get

The lack of an index is very disappointing. I personally think there are much better books to get.

Published 7 months ago by Earl J. Campbell
2.0 out of 5 starsDisappointed

I was disappointed with this book. I was looking for a book that contains illustrations. I guess that's the problem with buying books on line when there is no way to look inside. Read more

Published 22 months ago by drfiddler1
3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

A little difficult to read did not hold my interest.

Published 23 months ago by Marvin Donatto
5.0 out of 5 starsGood History Lesson

Very well presented. The seeds of many of today's practicing religions can be found in the precepts of these early religions, but like another reviewer surmised, you won't find... Read more

Published on November 13, 2013 by Astara
3.0 out of 5 starsNo INDEX??? Really????

Note that this book does not have an index. Written in 1987 and no index? I can't give any book without an index more than 3 stars. Read more

Published on October 17, 2013 by D. J. King
5.0 out of 5 starsEleusinian mysteries explained

As a devotee of the Greek Gods, I must say that this book explained the Eleusinian Mysteries, as well as the Mysteries of Dionysus pretty well, something I did not expect.

Published on September 19, 2012 by Nicholas Vela
5.0 out of 5 starsMysteries book

Loved it! Of course as usual it was on time and less then the schedule suggested. It is a remarkable book and one I have wanted for a long time. It answers many guestions for me.

Published on July 11, 2011 by Roger Rooks
5.0 out of 5 starsVery interesting work

This book contains various translations of ancient works relating to mystery cults. A great deal of focus is placed on Greek and Roman works. Read more

Published on February 3, 2009 by Christopher R. Travers

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