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prolegomena to the study of greek religion

by Harrison Jane Ellen

Books » History » Ancient

Added by: Steven "Weste...

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Prolegomena to the study of Greek religion is written by one of the founders of studying Greek religion and mythology Jane Ellen Harrison. In this research she makes a careful study of the festivities of ancient Greek religion with the goal to find out the roots and fundamentals of rituals and them being present in the classical religion and literature. The preface of this famous book states that J. G. Frazer has made a great contribution to her research and influenced as well the works of many other researches of religion. Our contemporary academics who examines ancient myths or rituals can say the same words about Jane Harrison. Her thoughts set in the Prolegomena have not lost their importance and innovation.

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...physical and moral purgation, and again with a view to the promotion and conser- vation of fertility. Thus far it will be seen that the rites of the lower stratum are characterized by a deep and constant sense of evil to be removed and of the need of purification for its removal ; that the means of purification adopted are primitive and mainly magical nowise affects this religious content. This practical end of primitive ceremonies, the promotion of fer- tility by magical rites, comes out still more strongly in the autumn sowing festival of the Thesmophoria. Here the women attempt, by carrying certain magical sacra, the direct impulsion of nature. In connection with these sacra of the Thesmophoria the subject of ' mysteries ' falls to be examined. The gist of all primitive mysteries is found to be the handling or tasting of certain sacra after elaborate purification. The sacra are conceived of as having magical, i. E. Divine, properties. Contact with them is contact with a superhuman...