The Roman goddess Ceres / Barbette Stanley Spaeth.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Spaeth, Barbette Stanley, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ceres (Roman deity).

Ceres.

Rome--Religion.

Rome.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (309 p.)

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

Ceres

Place of Publication:

Austin, Texas : University of Texas Press, 1996.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Interest in goddess worship is growing in contemporary society, as women seek models for feminine spirituality and wholeness. New cults are developing around ancient goddesses from many cultures, although their modern adherents often envision and interpret the goddesses very differently than their original worshippers did. In this thematic study of the Roman goddess Ceres, Barbette Spaeth explores the rich complexity of meanings and functions that grew up around the goddess from the prehistoric period to the Late Roman Empire. In particular, she examines two major concepts, fertility and liminality, and two social categories, the plebs and women, which were inextricably linked with Ceres in the Roman mind. Spaeth then analyzes an image of the goddess in a relief of the Ara Pacis, an important state monument of the Augustan period, showing how it incorporates all these varied roles and associations of Ceres. This interpretation represents a new contribution to art history. With its use of literary, epigraphical, numismatic, artistic, and archaeological evidence, The Roman Goddess Ceres presents a more encompassing view of the goddess than was previously available. It will be important reading for all students of Classics, as well as for a general audience interested in New Age, feminist, or pagan spirituality.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

ILLUSTRATIONS

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Chapter 1 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Chapter 2 FERTILITY

Chapter 3 LIMINALITY

Chapter 4 THE PLEBS

Chapter 5 WOMEN

Chapter 6 CERES IN THE ARA PACIS AUGUSTAE

Appendix 1 ORIGINAL TEXT OF TRANSLATED PASSAGES

Appendix 2. WOMEN OF THE IMPERIAL FAMILY IDENTIFIED WITH CERES

NOTES

REFERENCES

GENERAL INDEX

INDEX OF PASSAGES CITED

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780292762831

0292762836

OCLC:

1280942696