European Paganism by Ken Dowden (9780415120340)

Description - European Paganism by Ken Dowden

Before there where Christians, the peoples of Europe were pagans. Were they bloodthirsty savages hunting human offerings from trees? Were they happy ecologists, valuing the unpolluted rivers and mountains? European Paganism uncovers the facts about pagan rituals and worship, presenting the observations of ancient and medieval pagans themselves and the fulminations of Christian fathers and bishops. Many of the sources sited are available in this book in translation for the first time. Ken Dowden offers a systematic and comprehensive survey and analysis of the peoples of Europe from Portugal to Russia. Among the topics covered are: * the importance of landscape for pagans and the significance of stones, trees, springs and groves * diverse pagan rituals from tree worship to human sacrifice * the significance of the priest for pagan worship * pagan gods * pagan time-reckoning, calendars and festivals Ken Dowden also provides valuable reference material, including a chronology, a guide to further reading and indices of Gods, persons and places.
European Paganism presents a concise and stimulating introduction to the pagan peoples of Europe which will be useful reading for anyone interested in ancient and medieval history, religion, anthropology and spirituality. European Paganism provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of ancient pagan religions throughout the European continent.

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