Thesaurus Cultus et Rituum Antiquorum: v. 2 (J Paul Getty Museum Publications): Purification, Consecration, Foundation Rites, Initiation, Heroization

Thesaurus Cultus et Rituum Antiquorum (ThesCRA) is a major multi-volume reference on all known aspects of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cults and rituals. Providing both a sweeping overview and in-depth investigation, ThesCRA covers the period from Homeric times (1000 B.C.) to late Roman times (A.D. 400). A definitive work on the topic, ThesCRA is the culmination of many years of research by scholars from across the United States and Europe and throughout the Mediterranean world. Each of their texts - either in English, French, German, or Italian - is followed by a catalogue entry listing the epigraphical and literary sources cited and referencing ancient iconographical documents related to the topic. Many of these iconographical items are depicted either in line drawings in the texts or in the plate sections of each volume. On completion, ThesCRA will comprise five volumes, a book of abbreviations, and an index volume. The volumes are arranged thematically. The first three deal with dynamic elements of ancient cults, such as cultic ritual and practice, while the last two are devoted to static elements, such as cult places and their personnel. sacrifices, libations, fumigations, and dedications (Volume I): and purification, consecration, initiation, heroization, apotheosis, banquets, dance, music, and rites and activities related to cult images (Volume II). Volume III, slated for August of 2005, will deal with divination; prayers and gestures of prayer; gestures and acts of veneration; supplication; asylum; oaths; magic; curses; and descration. Volumes IV and V, along with the Index, are scheduled for publication in February 2006. ThesCRA was developed by the eminent group of scholars who published the eight double-volumes of LIMC (Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae). Among the many contributors to the ThesCRA volumes are Jean Ch. Balty, Sir John Boardman, Walter Burkert, Giovannangelo Camporeale, Tonio Holscher, Anneliese Kossatz, Vassilis Lambrinoudakis, Francois Lissarrague, John H. Oakley, Ricardo Olmos, H. A. Shapiro, Erika Simon, and Marion True.

“This publication is a truly magnificent undertaking that will be a major reference work for decades to come.”—Minerva

“ThesCRA, thanks to its scale, its intelligent selections, and its bibliographies, opens a new era for anyone concerned with the Realien of ancient cult.”—Greece and Rome

“The Thesaurus continues the good work of the Lexicon (LIMC) in making it impossible for archaeologists and art historians to neglect the ancient written sources, or for epigraphers and literary specialists to underrate the material record. Best of all, when we have the full set of dynamic and static elements, we shall all be able to reflect on the inward and spiritual meaning of all this hard evidence with far more information at our fingertips than we have had before.”—Times Higher Education Supplement

“Bigger than anything previously attempted in this most challenging sector of classical studies.”—Times Higher Education Supplement

“...a ‘must’ for any university library...”—Ancient & East