Relics of Ancient Greek Religion
Publisher
:
Cerf
Parution date
:
EAN
:
9782204092739
Number of pages
:
179
Description
Many Greek nations’ pre-Christian writings—literary and philosophical—have survived to this day, and continue to be discussed through the centuries. But with the coming of Christianity, many of the Greek religious buildings were destroyed or repurposed, and we know far less about them and their meanings. Here, Lorenz Baumer guides us through an archeological investigation into the fate of the great architectural and artistic religious monuments of ancient Greece and discusses their fate under Christianity.
Baumer uses archeological methods to find out what became of the relics and religious monuments of ancient Greece at the end of the Classical Period. He is particularly interested in the destruction of the temples, which were considered “pagan” by the newly arrived Christians.
Indeed, as Christianity spread through the Mediterranean Basin, few of these holy places of the previously dominant religion were spared. Throughout history, religions have replaced earlier religions, but generally not with a need for such destruction. Baumer considers the religious pertinence these pagan remnants had in a Christian world. His exploration of clashing faiths has particular resonance in today’s world of religious strife.
Author
Lorenz E. Baumer : Lorenz E. Baumer is a professor of classical archeology at the University of Geneva. He is the author of a number of books and studies on ancient Greek sculpture as well as on religious sanctuaries and the rural cults of ancient Greece. His work has appeared in the American Journal of Archeology.
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