Coping with the gods : wayward readings in Greek theology / by H.S. Versnel.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Versnel, H. S.

Series:

Religions in the Graeco-Roman world ; v. 173.

Religions in the Graeco-Roman world, 0927-7633 ; v. 173

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religions.

Greece--Religion.

Greece.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 593 pages) : plates; digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2011.

Language Note:

English.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

Inspired by a critical reconsideration of current monolithic approaches to the study of Greek religion, this book argues that ancient Greeks displayed a disquieting capacity to validate two (or more) dissonant, if not contradictory, representations of the divine world in a complementary rather than mutually exclusive manner. From this perspective the six chapters explore problems inherent in: order vs. variety/chaos in polytheism, arbitrariness vs. justice in theodicy, the peaceful co-existence of mono- and polytheistic theologies, human traits in divine imagery, divine omnipotence vs. limitation of power, and ruler cult. Based on an intimate knowledge of ancient realia and literary testimonia the book stands out for its extensive application of relevant perceptions drawn from cultural anthropology, theology, cognitive science, psychology, and linguistics.

Contents:

Preliminary Material / H. Versnel

Introduction / H. Versnel

Chapter One. Many Gods Complications Of Polytheism / H. Versnel

Chapter Two. The Gods Divine Justice Or Divine Arbitrariness? / H. Versnel

Chapter Three. One God Three Greek Experiments In Oneness / H. Versnel

Chapter Four. A God Why Is Hermes Hungry? / H. Versnel

Chapter Five. God The Question Of Divine Omnipotence / H. Versnel

Chapter Six. Playing (The) God Did (The) Greeks Believe In The Divinity Of Their Rulers? / H. Versnel

Epilogue / H. Versnel

Appendix One. Grouping The Gods / H. Versnel

Appendix Two. Unity Or Diversity—One God Or Many? A Modern Debate / H. Versnel

Appendix Three. Drive Towards Coherence In Two Herodotus-Studies / H. Versnel

Appendix Four. Did The Greeks Believe In Their Gods? / H. Versnel

Bibliography / H. Versnel

Index Of Passages Cited / H. Versnel

Greek Words / H. Versnel

General Index / H. Versnel.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record and e-publication (viewed on March 5, 2019).

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-3.0 Unported CC BY-NC 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode

Description based on print version record; resource not viewed.

ISBN:

9786613161666

9781283161664

1283161664

9789004210905

9004210903

OCLC:

741614590

Publisher Number:

10.1163/ej.9789004204904.i-594 DOI

Access Restriction:

Open access Unrestricted online access