Materials from ten different cultures and traditions that arose and developed in Mediterranean religions are presented side by side in an incisive study of the complexities of the ancient spiritual world, which interprets these specific beliefs, rituals, practices, gods, and cults in comparison with

Reviews

Every once in a long while, a reference work comes along that is certain from the outset to become a well-used standard. "Religions of the Ancient World: A Guide" is such a work, which is unsurprising given that approximately one hundred forty top scholars contributed to the articles inside. Not quite an encyclopedia, not quite a collection of essays, this unique volume is the first comprehensive and comparative reference guide to a wide array of topics in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern religions.--Frances Flannery "Journal of the American Oriental Society "