Orpheus and Greek Religion: A Study of the Orphic Movement

William Keith Guthrie

ISBN 10: 0691024995 / ISBN 13: 9780691024998

Published by Princeton University Press, 1993

About this Item

1993. Reprint. Paperback. The tales told of Orpheus are legion. He is said to have been an Argonaut - and to have saved Jason's life. Did Orpheus, in fact, exist? His influence on Greek thought is undeniable, but his disciples left little of substance behind them. This work attempts to uncover and define Orphism by following its circuitous path through ancient history. Editor(s): Alderink, Larry. Series: Mythos: The Princeton-Bollingen Series in World Mythology. Num Pages: 352 pages, 35 illustrations. BIC Classification: 1QDAG; HRKP; JFHF. Category: (G) General (US: Trade); (P) Professional & Vocational; (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 216 x 142 x 22. Weight in Grams: 428. . . . . .

Seller Inventory # V9780691024998

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Orpheus and Greek Religion: A Study of the Orphic Movement
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691024995
• ISBN 13: 9780691024998
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The tales told of Orpheus are legion. He is said to have been an Argonaut--and to have saved Jason's life. Rivers are reported to have stopped their flow to listen to the sounds of his lyre and his voice. Plato cites his poetry and Herodotus refers to "practices that are called Orphic." Did Orpheus, in fact, exist? His influence on Greek thought is undeniable, but his disciples left little of substance behind them. Indeed, their Orphic precepts have been lost to time.


W.K.C. Guthrie attempts to uncover and define Orphism by following its circuitous path through ancient history. He tackles this daunting task with the determination of a detective and the analytical rigor of a classical scholar. He ferries his readers with him on a singular voyage of discovery.

About the Author

W.K.C. Guthrie was Professor of Classics at Cambridge University. His books include the six-volume History of Classical Philosophy (Cambridge) and The Greeks and their Gods (Methuen).