The Cult of Divine Birth in Ancient Greece
Marguerite Rigoglioso
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Description for The Cult of Divine Birth in Ancient Greece
Paperback. This book argues that specialized cadres of virgin priestesses in ancient Greece were believed to give birth in miraculous fashion as a means of bringing forth holy political and spiritual leaders. Num Pages: 292 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: 1QDAG; HRAX; HRKP. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 217 x 142 x 18. Weight in Grams: 394.
Greek religion is filled with strange sexual artifacts - stories of mortal women's couplings with gods; rituals like the basilinna's "marriage" to Dionysus; beliefs in the impregnating power of snakes and deities; the unusual birth stories of Pythagoras, Plato, and Alexander; and more. In this provocative study, Marguerite Rigoglioso suggests such details are remnants of an early Greek cult of divine birth, not unlike that of Egypt. Scouring myth, legend, and history from a female-oriented perspective, she argues that many in the highest echelons of Greek civilization believed non-ordinary conception was the only means possible of bringing forth individuals who ... Read more
Greek religion is filled with strange sexual artifacts - stories of mortal women's couplings with gods; rituals like the basilinna's "marriage" to Dionysus; beliefs in the impregnating power of snakes and deities; the unusual birth stories of Pythagoras, Plato, and Alexander; and more. In this provocative study, Marguerite Rigoglioso suggests such details are remnants of an early Greek cult of divine birth, not unlike that of Egypt. Scouring myth, legend, and history from a female-oriented perspective, she argues that many in the highest echelons of Greek civilization believed non-ordinary conception was the only means possible of bringing forth individuals who ... Read more
Product Details
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2011
Publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
Number of pages
292
Condition
New
Number of Pages
278
Place of Publication
Basingstoke, United Kingdom
ISBN
9780230111325
SKU
V9780230111325
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 15 to 20 working days
Ref
99-15
About Marguerite Rigoglioso
MARGUERITE RIGOGLIOSO is an adjunct instructor at the Dominican University of California, USA.
Reviews for The Cult of Divine Birth in Ancient Greece
'This book is bold, creative, and courageous, and makes a considerable contribution to feminist re-readings and reinterpretations of religious and mythological traditions from the Graeco-Roman world.' - Marvin Meyer, Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies, Chapman University; author of The Gospel of Judas, The Gospels of Mary, The Gnostic Bible, and Ancient Christian Magic 'Thought provoking ... Read more