Orphism and Christianity in Late Antiquity

Miguel Herrero de Jáuregui

Published by De Gruyter 2010

Orphism and Christianity in Late Antiquity

Miguel Herrero de Jáuregui

Volume 7 in the series Sozomena

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110216608

Overview
Contents

About this book

Now as Paperback

Many recent discoveries have confirmed the importance of Orphism for ancient Greek religion, philosophy and literature. Its nature and role are still, however, among the most debated problems of Classical scholarship. A cornerstone of the question is its relationship to Christianity, which modern authors have too often discussed from apologetic perspectives or projections of the Christian model into its supposed precedent. Besides, modern approaches are strongly based on ancient ones, since Orpheus and the poems and mysteries attributed to him were fundamental in the religious controversies of Late Antiquity. Both Pagan and Christian authors often present Orphism as a precedent, alternative or imitation of Chistianity.
This free and thorough study of the ancient sources sheds light on these controversial questions. The presence of the Orphic tradition in Imperial Age, documented by literary and epigraphical evidence, is confronted with the informations transmitted by Christian apologists on Orphic poems and cults. The manifold Christian treatments of Pagan sources, and their particular value to understand Greek religion, are illuminated by this specific case, which exemplifies the complex encounter between Classical culture and Jewish-Christian tradition.

Author / Editor information

Miguel Herrero de Jáuregui, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.

Reviews

"Altogether, the reader is justified in feeling that he has come to a better knowledge of the books, beliefs, and rites of Orphism, of the Christian apologists and their encounter with Greek religion and ideas, and of the specific texts discussed here. He has found, moreover, a resource to which he can return for insight and direction on these and many related matters for years to come. For this contribution, once again, Herrero de Jáuregui is to be thanked."
Benjamin Garstad in: Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2010.10.52

"In seinem Werk ist H. insgesamt eine überzeugende, kenntnisreiche, gut lesbare Darstellung eines der kompliziertesten (und in der Vergangenheit umstrittensten) Phänomene der Antike gelungen."
Oliver Schelske in: Gnomon 85, 2013

Topics

Frontmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	I
Table of Contents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	XI
I. Introduction Publicly Available Download PDF	1
II. Orphic religious presence in the Imperial Age Publicly Available Download PDF	31
III. Fields of intersection Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	87
IV. Orphic Tradition in Christian Apologetic Literature Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	127
V. Christian Strategies Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	219
VI. Orphism in the light of Christian apologetics Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	295
Backmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	375

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Academics, Libraries, Institutes
Pages
- Front matter: 13
- Main content: 442
Keywords: Dionysus; Orpheus; Orphism (Religion); Reception (Religion)

eBook

Published: March 26, 2010
ISBN: 9783110216608

Hardcover

Published: March 26, 2010
ISBN: 9783110206333

Paperback

Published: June 20, 2016
ISBN: 9783110482355