The Derveni Papyrus

By Gábor Betegh,

Book cover of The Derveni Papyrus: Cosmology, Theology and Interpretation

Book description

This is a comprehensive study of the Derveni Papyrus. The papyrus, found in 1962 near Thessaloniki, is not only one of the oldest surviving Greek papyri but is also considered by scholars as a document of primary importance for a better understanding of the religious and philosophical developments in the…

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 Derveni Papyrus as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The Derveni papyrus (500 BC), an ancient Macedonian papyrus that was found in 1962, and was finally published, just recently, in 2006. Derveni Papyrus, is now at Thessaloniki Museum, Greece. This version was published in 340 BC and it is an Orphic book of mystical initiations.

The scroll was carefully unrolled and the fragments joined together, thus forming 26 columns of text. which was used in the mystery cult of Dionysus by the 'Orphic initiators'. It is a philosophical treatise written as a commentary on an Orphic poem, a Theogony concerning the birth of the gods, compiled in the circle…

Want books like The Derveni Papyrus?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Derveni Papyrus.

Browse books like The Derveni Papyrus

Book cover of Language of Amarna - Language of Diplomacy: Perspectives on the Amarna Letters
Book cover of Moses and Akhenaten: The Secret History of Egypt at the Time of the Exodus
Book cover of Inanna, Lady of Largest Heart: Poems of the Sumerian High Priestess Enheduanna

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

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

1,224

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Greece, Ancient Greece, and Christianity?

Greece 184 books
Ancient Greece 156 books
Christianity 679 books