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Reviews

Mystery Cults of the Ancient World is clearly written and richly illustrated, and gives a solid introduction to an extremely elusive phenomenon... [I]t remains a reliable and accessible guide to the religions that gave 'mystery' its name. -- Richard Smoley, Parabola Magazine Greek and Roman men and women by the thousands, even millions, chose to be initiated into religious cults amid strict vows of secrecy; remarkably, not a single voice from antiquity has ever spilled the beans. Despite centuries of scholarly probing, the exact words, visions, benefits, or promises revealed during these closely guarded rituals remain unknown. This important book presents a sensible, convincing account of what these occasions may have offered their participants; how they related to mainstream, public traditions; and what the mysteries likely entailed... Well-organized by cult types, splendidly illustrated, and jargon-free, the book deserves a wide readership. -- Choice This book should be on the bookshelf of every thinking pagan, from the most scholarly reconstructionist to the most insouciant eclectic. What we need to know--and what it abundantly reveals--is why mystery cults were (and still are) important... [A]s a guide to pre-Christian classical Paganism, this book is unsurpassed. -- Barbara Ardinger, Witches and Pagans Magazine Students and generalist readers, as well as classicists looking for basic information on mystery cults, will find much useful information here... [T]his is an eminently readable, enlightening overview of a fascinating topic and will become the go-to generalist resource ... on ancient mystery cults. -- Bronwen L. Wickkiser, American Journal of Archaeology Mystery Cults of the Ancient World is clearly written and highly accessible both to scholars and interested general readers alike... Bowden's multi-discipline approach to studying the value of these cults in people's lives, rather than an attempt to piece together a list of rituals or practices from scattered sources, is refreshing. -- Carey Fleiner, Canadian Journal of History

Mystery Cults of the Ancient World is clearly written and richly illustrated, and gives a solid introduction to an extremely elusive phenomenon... [I]t remains a reliable and accessible guide to the religions that gave 'mystery' its name. -- Richard Smoley, Parabola Magazine Greek and Roman men and women by the thousands, even millions, chose to be initiated into religious cults amid strict vows of secrecy; remarkably, not a single voice from antiquity has ever spilled the beans. Despite centuries of scholarly probing, the exact words, visions, benefits, or promises revealed during these closely guarded rituals remain unknown. This important book presents a sensible, convincing account of what these occasions may have offered their participants; how they related to mainstream, public traditions; and what the mysteries likely entailed... Well-organized by cult types, splendidly illustrated, and jargon-free, the book deserves a wide readership. -- Choice This book should be on the bookshelf of every thinking pagan, from the most scholarly reconstructionist to the most insouciant eclectic. What we need to know--and what it abundantly reveals--is why mystery cults were (and still are) important... [A]s a guide to pre-Christian classical Paganism, this book is unsurpassed. -- Barbara Ardinger, Witches and Pagans Magazine

Mystery Cults of the Ancient World is clearly written and richly illustrated, and gives a solid introduction to an extremely elusive phenomenon... [I]t remains a reliable and accessible guide to the religions that gave 'mystery' its name. -- Richard Smoley, Parabola Magazine Greek and Roman men and women by the thousands, even millions, chose to be initiated into religious cults amid strict vows of secrecy; remarkably, not a single voice from antiquity has ever spilled the beans. Despite centuries of scholarly probing, the exact words, visions, benefits, or promises revealed during these closely guarded rituals remain unknown. This important book presents a sensible, convincing account of what these occasions may have offered their participants; how they related to mainstream, public traditions; and what the mysteries likely entailed... Well-organized by cult types, splendidly illustrated, and jargon-free, the book deserves a wide readership. -- Choice This book should be on the bookshelf of every thinking pagan, from the most scholarly reconstructionist to the most insouciant eclectic. What we need to know--and what it abundantly reveals--is why mystery cults were (and still are) important... [A]s a guide to pre-Christian classical Paganism, this book is unsurpassed. -- Barbara Ardinger, Witches and Pagans Magazine Students and generalist readers, as well as classicists looking for basic information on mystery cults, will find much useful information here... [T]his is an eminently readable, enlightening overview of a fascinating topic and will become the go-to generalist resource ... on ancient mystery cults. -- Bronwen L. Wickkiser, American Journal of Archaeology

Mystery Cults of the Ancient World is clearly written and richly illustrated, and gives a solid introduction to an extremely elusive phenomenon... [I]t remains a reliable and accessible guide to the religions that gave 'mystery' its name. -- Richard Smoley Parabola Magazine Greek and Roman men and women by the thousands, even millions, chose to be initiated into religious cults amid strict vows of secrecy; remarkably, not a single voice from antiquity has ever spilled the beans. Despite centuries of scholarly probing, the exact words, visions, benefits, or promises revealed during these closely guarded rituals remain unknown. This important book presents a sensible, convincing account of what these occasions may have offered their participants; how they related to mainstream, public traditions; and what the mysteries likely entailed... Well-organized by cult types, splendidly illustrated, and jargon-free, the book deserves a wide readership. Choice This book should be on the bookshelf of every thinking pagan, from the most scholarly reconstructionist to the most insouciant eclectic. What we need to know--and what it abundantly reveals--is why mystery cults were (and still are) important... [A]s a guide to pre-Christian classical Paganism, this book is unsurpassed. -- Barbara Ardinger Witches and Pagans Magazine Students and generalist readers, as well as classicists looking for basic information on mystery cults, will find much useful information here... [T]his is an eminently readable, enlightening overview of a fascinating topic and will become the go-to generalist resource ... on ancient mystery cults. -- Bronwen L. Wickkiser American Journal of Archaeology Mystery Cults of the Ancient World is clearly written and highly accessible both to scholars and interested general readers alike... Bowden's multi-discipline approach to studying the value of these cults in people's lives, rather than an attempt to piece together a list of rituals or practices from scattered sources, is refreshing. -- Carey Fleiner Canadian Journal of History

Author Information

Hugh Bowden is senior lecturer in ancient history at King's College London. He is the author of ""Classical Athens and the Delphic Oracle"" and general editor of ""The Times"" Ancient Civilizations"" (HarperCollins).

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