Economy of the Sacred in Hellenistic and Roman Asia Minor

by Beate Dignas

This original study challenges the idea that sanctuaries in Hellenistic and Roman Asia Minor were fully institutionalized within the poleis that hosted them. Examining the forms of interaction between rulers, cities, and sanctuaries, the book proposes a triangular relationship in which the rulers often acted as mediators between differing interests of city and cult.

378 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 2002

Reviews

[Bruce Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beate Dignas is thorough. She paints a portrait of the economy of ancient religion that is without an equal. Temples as investment banks; priests as money-changers; ancient religion as the stuff of building financial security. Her study is academic, but captivating. Let yourself get dragged into her writing and you will find yourself uncovering buried treasure.