Beck on Mithraism de Roger Beck

Beck on Mithraism: Collected Works with New Essays: Ashgate Contemporary Thinkers on Religion: Collected Works

Roger Beck

Roger Beck, a world authority on Mithraism, brings together his major writings on the Mysteries of Mithras in the context of the culture and religions of imperial Rome. In these studies he opens new vistas on myth making, ritual, symbolism, the role of astrology in the cult, recently discovered Mithraic monuments and artefacts, and the emergence of Mithraism and Christianity concurrently in the first century. Beck offers new introductions to his thematically framed groups of writings and adds six entirely new essays published here for the first time. These essays link his research to contemporary studies in cognitive science of religion and anthropology of religion. This collection will appeal particularly to scholars exploring contemporary aspects in anthropology of religion, astronomy and astrology, cults and myths, images and symbols, as well as traditional scholars of Greco-Roman antiquity and Christian origins.

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Cuprins

Contents: Introduction; Part A The Scholarly Scene: Mithraism since 'Mithraism since Franz Cumont'. Part B Foundation: Introduction; The Mysteries of Mithras; A summary description of the Mysteries of Mithras in six propositions. Part C Mythmaking and Other Fictions: Introduction; Ritual, myth, doctrine and initiation in the Mysteries of Mithras; History into fiction; Apuleius the novelist, Apuleius the Ostian householder, and the Mithraeum of the Seven Spheres. Part D Mithras and the Heavens,1; First explorations: Introduction; 'The Seat of Mithras at the Equinoxes'; Cautes and Cautopates; Interpreting the Ponza Zodiac, I; Interpreting the Ponza Zodiac, II. Part E Mithras and the Heavens, 2: Quis Ille?: The rise and fall of the astral identifications of the tauroctonous Mithras; Astral symbolism in the tauroctony; In the place of the lion. Part F The Astronomical and Astrological Matrix: Introduction; The astronomical design of Karakush, a royal burial site in ancient Commagene; Whose astrology? The imprint of Ti. Claudius Balbillus on the Mithraic mysteries. Part G Eikona Kosmou: The Mithraeum: Introduction; Cosmic models; Qui mortalitatis causa convenerunt. Index.

Recenzii

'Beck's essays on Mithraism are lucid, elegant, original and persuasive. Gathering them into one volume will reinforce his reputation as an outstanding scholar in this field. The addition of new essays and reflective introductions to the various sections of the book will make more accessible the extent, depth and coherence of his work. They will also demonstrate a hallmark of Beck's work - his constant search for new and more sophisticated ways of understanding the ancient evidence. His is a mind on the move.' I predict it will become a standard reference work in the field of Mithraic studies.' Stephen Wilson, Professor, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada 'I would see this as a very worthy project from one of the world's leading experts in Mithraism, with a very distinct and consistent approach, and with a large following of scholars who read his articles and books.' Frederick Brenk, S.J., Pontifical Biblical Institute, Romer, Italy 'Roger Beck's suggestive and influential contributions to the study of Mithraism are well known; in gathering them together he has added a number of important new studies that not only bring the earlier studies up to date but tie the whole together. The resulting volume attractively indicates how texts and realia can offer new insights into the analysis of one of the most important "new" religions of antiquity. It affords fresh insights into the examination of early Christianity and Greco-Roman religion, especially their astronomical and astrological features. All in all, it is an important and perceptive discussion of myth making in antiquity.' Peter Richardson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Canada 'Roger Beck is a leading scholar in the field of Mithraic Studies. His publications have brought decisive progress in a complicated and often controversial realm of scholarship. I very much welcome the project to collect and to publish Roger Beck's Mithraic studies in one volume.' Walter Burkert, Emeritus Professor, Universi

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