The Light of the Gods: The Role of Light in Archaic and Classical Greek Cult

Parisinou, Eva

ISBN 10: 0715629344 / ISBN 13: 9780715629345

Published by Duckworth Pub, United Kingdom, 2002

About this Item

*** FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request *** - *** IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT - FLAWLESS COPY, BRAND NEW, NEVER OPENED -- 256p, 42 black and white pls, 31 b/w figs -- DESCRIPTION: "A detailed and informative study of the use and significance of light and fire from the 7th to 4th century BC as portrayed in literary texts, inscriptions, art and physical remains. Eva Parisinou looks at both earthly lighting devices such as torches and lamps and those associated with the gods and divinity. Both abstract concepts and very specific examples are discussed with particular emphasis on the role of light in rites of passage, in pollution-repelling, in symbolising links with divinity, as well as light used in religious rituals and belief systems. " -- REVIEW: "This book is an examination of light, lamps, and torches as they were used in cult, in representations of the gods in art, and in literary descriptions of religious scenes. Parisinou gathers evidence, mostly but not totally archaeological, from all over the Greek world from the time of Homer to the end of the Classical period. The discussion ranges from the first mention of a lamp in Greek literature, a disputed section of the Odyssey, through the use of torches in foot races and in rites of passage, images of fire held by various deities in art, and the employment of torches in cult. Parisinou provides a large collection of citations for these uses without venturing into much new theoretical or factual territory. " (excerpt) - Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2001.10.06, Reviewed by Edward Kadletz, Ball State University -- with a bonus offer--; 520-Paris.

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Light of the Gods: The Role of Light in Archaic and Classical Greek Cult
• Publisher: Duckworth Pub, United Kingdom
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0715629344
• ISBN 13: 9780715629345
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New
• Seller catalogs:
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About this title

Synopsis

This book examines the use and significance of light in ancient Greek cult of the Archaic and Classical periods (from the seventh to the fourth century BCE). The research covers all available evidence, ranging from literary texts and inscriptions to representations of light in vase-painting and sculpture, and surviving physical remains from excavations of Greek sanctuaries. Light is treated both as an abstract component of brightness which forms part of the nature of the gods and as an artefact which assumes concrete forms in divine hands. As a possession of mortals, light was regularly involved in contact with the gods. The book considers a numberof rituals in connection with the types and amount of light that they required, and the different roles that light played in them. It shows that the involvement of light in Greek cult was a complex phenomenon, which penetrated a great variety of ritual practices and religious beliefs surrounding the worship of gods in Archaic and Classical Greece.

About the Author

Lorna Hardwick is Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies at the Open Unversity.