Thesaurus Cultus et Rituum Antiquorum (ThesCRA)

ThesCRA is a major multivolume reference work on all known aspects of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cults and rituals. Providing both a sweeping overview and an in-depth investigation, ThesCRA covers the period from Homeric times (1000 B.C.) to late Roman times (A.D. 400).

The first five volumes appeared between 2004 and 2006 and covered the dynamic elements and activities of ancient cults and rituals. Illustrated scholarly articles in English, French, Italian, and German treat such topics as processions, sacrifices, libations, dedications, purification, initiation, divination, prayer, asylum, oaths, maledictions, banquets, music, dance, cult places, cult statues, and cult implements. The latter three volumes address the occasions and circumstances of ritual. The forty-one authors of Volume VIII write about public and private life, guilds, priesthoods, priestly colleges, and other institutions, law, diplomacy, war, festivals of various kinds, and religious links to neighboring societies. In addition, the book includes an addendum to Volume VI on death and burial in the Greek world, and a supplement on animals and plants. Volume VIII brings to completion this unique research tool.