Greek Mysteries

<p>Written by an international team of acknowledged experts, this excellent book studies a wide range of contributions and showcases new research on the archaeology, ritual and history of Greek mystery cults.</p><p>With a lack of written evidence that exists for the mysteries, archaeology has proved central to explaining their significance and this volume is key to understanding a phenomenon central to Greek religion and society.</p> List of illustrations, List of contributors, Preface, Note on abbreviations and transliteration, 1 Mycenaean religion at Eleusis: the architecture and stratigraphy of Megaron, 2 Festival and Mysteries: aspects of the Eleusinian Cult, 3 Stages of initiation in the Eleusinian and Samothracian Mysteries, 4 “In the Sanctuary of the Samothracian Gods”: myth, politics, and mystery cult at Ilion, 5 Evolutions of a mystery cult: the Theban Kabiroi, 6 Mystery cults in Arcadia, 7 Trophonius of Lebadea: mystery aspects of an oracular cult in Boeotia, 8 Landscapes of Dionysos and Elysian Fields, 9 Orphic Mysteries and Dionysiac ritual, 10 Lesser Mysteries – not less mysterious, 11 Concluding remarks, Index