In Myth, Ritual and the Oral Jack Goody, one of the world's most distinguished anthropologists, returns to the related themes of myth, orality and literacy, subjects that have long been a touchstone in anthropological thinking. Combining classic papers with recent unpublished work, this volume brings together some of the most important essays written on these themes in the past half century, representative of a lifetime of critical engagement and research. In characteristically clear and accessible style, Jack Goody addresses fundamental conceptual schemes underpinning modern anthropology, providing potent critiques of current theoretical trends. Drawing upon his highly influential work on the LoDagaa myth of the Bagre, Goody challenges structuralist and functionalist interpretations of oral 'literature', stressing the issues of variation, imagination and creativity, and the problems of methodology and analysis. These insightful, and at times provocative, essays will stimulate fresh debate and prove invaluable to students and teachers of social anthropology.

Though ancient rabbinic texts are fundamental to analyzing the history of Judaism, they are also daunting for the novice to read. Rabbinic literature presumes tremendous prior knowledge, and its fascinating twists and turns in logic can be disorienting. Rabbinic Drinking helps learners at every level navigate this brilliant but mystifying terrain by focusing on rabbinic conversations about beverages, such as beer and wine, water, and even breast milk. By studying the contents of a drinking vessel-including the contexts and practices in which they are imbibed-Rabbinic Drinking surveys key themes in rabbinic literature to introduce readers to the main contours of this extensive body of historical documents. Features and Benefits: Contains a broad array of rabbinic passages, accompanied by didactic and rich explanations and contextual discussions, both literary and historical Thematic chapters are organized into sections that include significant and original translations of rabbinic texts Each chapter includes in-text references and concludes with a list of both referenced works and suggested additional readings

"The Saga of the Volsungs" is an Icelandic epic of special interest to admirers of Richard Wagner, who drew heavily upon this Norse source in writing his "Ring Cycle" and a primary source for writers of fantasy such as J.R.R. Tolkien and romantics such as William Morris. A trove of traditional lore, it tells of love, jealousy, vengeance, war, and the mythic deeds of the dragonslayer, Sigurd the Volsung. Byock's comprehensive introduction explores the history, legends, and myths contained in the saga and traces the development of a narrative that reaches back to the period of the great folk migrations in Europe when the Roman Empire collapsed.

Laurie Brands Gagne believes the image of God as stern Father or Judge has done much damage over the centuries and has engendered a sense of shame and guilt, especially in women. She sees our own civilization as one that is cut off from the natural world and from the precious part of ourselves that is earthy and sensual. In The Uses of Darkness: Women's Underworld Journeys, Ancient and Modern, Gagne explores women's journeys through the underworld to reclaim the wisdom and sensuality contained in these stories for heirs of the God the Father tradition. She looks at the ancient stories of Inanna, Demeter, and Psyche and the reflections of these archetypal figures in the work of women such as Sylvia Plath, Joan Didion, Mary Gordon, Virginia Woolf, and Etty Hillesum to illustrate that the alternative tradition these journey stories represent has much to offer modern Christians. Gagne successfully demonstrates that only by turning to confront the mystery that has been obscured by the image of God as stern Father or Judge can a woman raised in the Christian tradition acquire a sense of self strong enough to integrate experiences of profound loss. Most importantly, by drawing on the wisdom of the goddess tradition, both men and women are able to effect a more meaningful reappropriation of Christianity. Gagne's examination of the dark experience of the underworld in the goddess tradition discovers the elements of all spiritual journeys: self-transcendence followed by self-transformation. Anyone who has struggled with love and loss and whose spirit has been suppressed by the image of God as Judge, yet who will not reject Christianity, will benefit from this work.

Here, in the translation and edition of Nabih A. Faris of the American University at Beirut, is the text of the unique Arabic source on the idols and worship of pagan Arabia. The influence of pagan Arabia on the development of Islam is increasingly recognized by modern scholars, and this is an important key to its understanding. Princeton Oriental Studies, No. 14. Originally published in 1950. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

A stunning YA romantasy inspired by Greek mythology by the acclaimed author of The Fandom duology. Twin sisters, Icari and Sephie, live in a world where magical gifts are bestowed on a chosen few, divided into three callings: healers, embalmers and alchemists. Icari is a born healer. Sephie is shocked when she's told she's an embalmer; especially since she already has alchemist powers. One person holding two powers is a crime punishable by death, so Sephie now carries a fatal secret. When winged demons steal Sephie to the underworld, only a pair of wings can bring Icari to save her twin. But can a gentle healer learn to fight - and fly? A thrilling YA fantasy adventure romance inspired by Greek mythology From the acclaimed author of The Fandom duology, Anna Day A tale of love, sisterhood, magic and the triumph of life and truth over death Set in a gorgeous desert world of Oases and citadels PRAISE FOR THE FANDOM: 'I couldn't put it down' MELINDA SALISBURY 'I cannot recommend The Fandom highly enough' LOUISE O'NEILL 'I devoured The Fandom in one sitting' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE '[A] glorious epic ode to fan culture ... For fans of Fangirl and Caraval.' BUZZFEED

Mani, a third-century preacher, healer and public sage from Sasanian Mesopotamia, lived at a pivotal time and place in the development of the major religions. He frequented the courts of the Persian Empire, debating with rivals from the Judaeo-Christian tradition, philosophers and gnostics, Zoroastrians from Iran and Buddhists from India. The community he founded spread from north Africa to south China and lasted for over a thousand years. Yet the genuine biography of its founder, his life and thought, was in good part lost until a series of spectacular discoveries have begun to transform our knowledge of Mani's crucial role in the spread of religious ideas and practices along the trade-routes of Eurasia. This book utilises the latest historical and textual research to examine how Mani was remembered by his followers, caricatured by his opponents, and has been invented and re-invented according to the vagaries of scholarly fashion.

This volume brings theoretical and methodological discussions from religious studies, ancient history, and classics to the study of ancient religions, thus attempting to bridge a disciplinary chasm often apparent in the study of religions in antiquity. It examines theoretical discourses on the specificity, origin, and function of 'religion' in antiquity, broadly defined here as the period from the 6th century BCE to the 4th century CE. In addition, it explores the crucial question of what is meant by the term 'religion' and its applicability when employed to describe traditions that antedate the historical periods known as the Enlightenment and the Reformation. Theorizing about religion is often seen as an accomplishment of modernity, neglecting the insights stemming from the 'pre-modern' period. The contributors to this volume offer detailed discussions and links between how the ancients theorized about their religions and how modern scholars discuss about such discourses in their academic environments.

This is the first English translation of, and commentary on, Valerius Maximus, an early first century AD author. His collection of examples of Roman religious practice and thought offers a unique perspective from the early principate on Roman beliefs about their religious heritage.

What did Zeus mean to the Greeks? And who was Hera, united with Zeus historically and archetypally as if they were a human pair? C. Kerenyi fills a gap in our knowledge of the religious history of Europe by responding to these questions. Examining the word Zeus and its Greek synonyms theos and daimon, the author traces the origins of Greek religion in the Minoan-Mycenacan civilization. He shows how Homer's view of the gods decisively shaped the literary and artistic tradition of Greek divine mythology. The emergence of the Olympian family is seen as the expression of a humane Zeus cult determined by the father image but formed within the domain of Hera. Originally published in 1976. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Full of giants, trolls, heroes, and beautiful princesses, these 42 folktales include such favorites as "Dapplegrim," "Tatterhood," "Katie Woodencloak," and "Soria Moria Castle," plus many less known, such as "The Werewolf," "Such Women Are," "The Three Dogs," "Temptations," "King Gram," "The Magician's Pupil," "Legend of Tannhauser," "The Outlaw," "Toller's Neighbors," "The Widow's Son," "The Three Sisters Trapped in a Mountain," and "The Goatherd" (the origin of Washington Irving's story of Rip van Winkle). The volume also includes instructive variants of the same story, such as "The Blue Belt" and "The Blue Riband," and "The Seven Ravens" and "The Twelve White Peacocks." Another plus is a substantial critical introduction by the author.