The Ancient Mysteries

By Marvin W. Meyer (editor),

Book cover of The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook of Sacred Texts

Book description

Zeus and the other gods of shining Olympus were in reality divine only by popular consent. Over the course of time Olympian luster diminished in favor of religious experiences more immediate to the concerns of people living in an increasingly cosmopolitan ancient world. These experiences were provided by the mysteries,…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Ancient Mysteries as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

For those wishing to dig a little deeper into the topic, Marvin Meyer’s The Ancient Mysteries is a key sourcebook for both the serious researcher and the curious amateur alike. For each of the major mystery cults of antiquity - the Rites of Eleusis, those of Isis and Osiris, Dionysus, Mithras, and others - Meyer has collected every pertinent classical reference to provide ready access to contemporary sources relevant to understanding each of the cults. 

From Peter's list on ancient mystery cults.

Want books like The Ancient Mysteries?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 61 books like The Ancient Mysteries.

Browse books like The Ancient Mysteries

Book cover of Mystery Cults of the Ancient World
Book cover of Ancient Mystery Cults
Book cover of The Mysteries: Papers from the Eranos Yearbooks, Vol 2

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Hellenistic age, cults, and Greece?

Cults 59 books
Greece 184 books