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Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age
Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age is a superb introduction to the principal Western religions and their philosophical counterparts from the beginnings of Alexander the Great's empire in 331 B.C.E. to the emergence of the Christian world in the fourth century C. E. Antonia Tripolitis, a noted scholar of Late Antiquity, examines the rise of the Hellenistic-Roman world and presents a comprehensive overview of its beliefs and practices, their socio-psychological and historical development, and the reasons for their success or failure. Her work explores Mithraism, Hellenistic Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism, and the philosophies of Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Middle Platonism. It also includes a review of the principal mystery cults, Demeter in Eleusis, Dionysus, Isis, and Cybele or Magna Mater.
Based on the most reliable and up-to-date research on the ancient world, this volume is valuable both as a general guide to ancient Western religion and as essential background reading for the study of early Christianity.
Based on the most reliable and up-to-date research on the ancient world, this volume is valuable both as a general guide to ancient Western religion and as essential background reading for the study of early Christianity.
175 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 6, 2021
A historical exploration of the distinctive religions which developed in the Hellenistic and Roman Mediterranean world.
The author described the mystery cults of Greek "paganism," Mithraism, Judaism, Christianity, and Gnosticism. She explored their origins or their condition before this era; how they developed in the era; what factors led to their success, adaptations, and in many instances, demise.
Historically well-grounded. A good introduction to the topic.
The author described the mystery cults of Greek "paganism," Mithraism, Judaism, Christianity, and Gnosticism. She explored their origins or their condition before this era; how they developed in the era; what factors led to their success, adaptations, and in many instances, demise.
Historically well-grounded. A good introduction to the topic.
September 12, 2020
For the purposes of this book, the Hellenistic-Roman age covers the time of Alexander the Great until the time of Constantine in the 4th century C.E. The religions covered by this survey include:
• Mystery cults – Demeter at Eleusis, Dionysus, Isis and Cybele (Magna Mater)
• Religious philosophies – Stoicism, Epicureanism and Middle Platonism
• Mithraism
• Hellenistic Judaism
• Christianity
• Gnosticism, both Christian and pagan
In general, I found the discussions interesting. In reading the descriptions Mithraism, I couldn’t help thinking back to a section of The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus Series, Rick Riordan) in which Annabeth Chase is confronted with a group of ghosts from a Mithra cult in a mithraeum under Rome and she intimidates the ghosts by claiming to be the Magna Mater, the Big Mother.
On point I found confusing was in the description of Christianity. In the chapter on Christianity, Dr. Tripolitis states that the disciples of Jesus became convinced that He was the Messiah on account of the empty tomb, but the Summary chapter mentions their encounters with the resurrected Jesus. While I consider this appropriate in the Summary, it should have been included with the discussion of the empty tomb. I consider its absence a weakness because I don’t think an empty tomb alone would convince Jesus’ disciples to consistently promote a controversial message that would ultimately cost most of them their lives.
Interestingly enough, I found a point of contention between this book and another I recently finished. That other book is At the Origins of Christian Worship, by Larry Hurtado. Dr. Tripolitis states that the traditional gods weren’t up to the challenges of the Hellenistic-Roman time period, resulting in a push toward the mystery cults and monotheism that ultimately paved the way for the dominance of monotheistic Christianity. On the other hand, Dr. Hurtado acknowledges this as a common view among scholars but has the following objections:
1. Much of the evidence for questioning the gods and moving toward monotheism is in various writings, which would have been done by the cultural elite. In other words, such writings may have been no more representative of the views of the general population than those of Gore Vidal are of middle America.
2. Pagan worship was ubiquitous, an integral part of games and other cultural events, trade guild activities, etc., suggesting that the general population was very supportive of the gods.
I tend to lean toward some hybrid view that polytheism was gradually losing its grip on society but starting primarily with the educated classes and in urban environments. In Cities of God, by Rodney Stark, the point is made that new ideas tended then, as today, to take hold in urban areas while traditional values are maintained much longer in rural areas. Furthermore, the word pagan originally had no religious connotation, and was similar to our own expression “country bumpkin.” It was used religiously in the Christian-dominated cities of the later Roman Empire as a derisive descriptor of the non-Christian countryside. In other words, as devotion to the traditional gods declined in the cities, the less cosmopolitan villages, which held the majority of the population, retained traditional values longer.
While I had some issues with the book, I found it helpful in better understanding the religious and cultural milieu of the early church.
• Mystery cults – Demeter at Eleusis, Dionysus, Isis and Cybele (Magna Mater)
• Religious philosophies – Stoicism, Epicureanism and Middle Platonism
• Mithraism
• Hellenistic Judaism
• Christianity
• Gnosticism, both Christian and pagan
In general, I found the discussions interesting. In reading the descriptions Mithraism, I couldn’t help thinking back to a section of The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus Series, Rick Riordan) in which Annabeth Chase is confronted with a group of ghosts from a Mithra cult in a mithraeum under Rome and she intimidates the ghosts by claiming to be the Magna Mater, the Big Mother.
On point I found confusing was in the description of Christianity. In the chapter on Christianity, Dr. Tripolitis states that the disciples of Jesus became convinced that He was the Messiah on account of the empty tomb, but the Summary chapter mentions their encounters with the resurrected Jesus. While I consider this appropriate in the Summary, it should have been included with the discussion of the empty tomb. I consider its absence a weakness because I don’t think an empty tomb alone would convince Jesus’ disciples to consistently promote a controversial message that would ultimately cost most of them their lives.
Interestingly enough, I found a point of contention between this book and another I recently finished. That other book is At the Origins of Christian Worship, by Larry Hurtado. Dr. Tripolitis states that the traditional gods weren’t up to the challenges of the Hellenistic-Roman time period, resulting in a push toward the mystery cults and monotheism that ultimately paved the way for the dominance of monotheistic Christianity. On the other hand, Dr. Hurtado acknowledges this as a common view among scholars but has the following objections:
1. Much of the evidence for questioning the gods and moving toward monotheism is in various writings, which would have been done by the cultural elite. In other words, such writings may have been no more representative of the views of the general population than those of Gore Vidal are of middle America.
2. Pagan worship was ubiquitous, an integral part of games and other cultural events, trade guild activities, etc., suggesting that the general population was very supportive of the gods.
I tend to lean toward some hybrid view that polytheism was gradually losing its grip on society but starting primarily with the educated classes and in urban environments. In Cities of God, by Rodney Stark, the point is made that new ideas tended then, as today, to take hold in urban areas while traditional values are maintained much longer in rural areas. Furthermore, the word pagan originally had no religious connotation, and was similar to our own expression “country bumpkin.” It was used religiously in the Christian-dominated cities of the later Roman Empire as a derisive descriptor of the non-Christian countryside. In other words, as devotion to the traditional gods declined in the cities, the less cosmopolitan villages, which held the majority of the population, retained traditional values longer.
While I had some issues with the book, I found it helpful in better understanding the religious and cultural milieu of the early church.
May 17, 2020
I've read, highlighted, re-read, and added marginal notes to this marvelous book. It's a one of a kind introductory and reference. I only wish I knew someone interested in discussing the contents of the book.
February 12, 2026
A concise overview of the religions during the Hellenistic-Roman age that includes a lot of further reading in the bibliography for interested readers. Really puts into perspective how much the 'winning' religions like Judaism and especially Christianity have changed by modern day, and explains why Christianity became so popular, too.
July 4, 2023
Utmärkt genomgång av mithraskulten och lite dyl. Väl värd en läsning.
May 18, 2024
Interesting and informative. I am so glad I got to read it for class. I didn't know 98% of this info. It was helpful for a beginning understanding that can help my further reading.
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November 21, 2009None
February 23, 2013
The most lucid and succinct account of the subject I have read. My only disappointment was that it didn't include any discussion of Plotinus.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews