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The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook of Sacred Texts Paperback – May 7, 1999

by Marvin W. Meyer (Editor)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
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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, religions that flourished particularly during the Hellenistic period and were secretly practiced by groups of adherents who decided, through personal choice, to be initiated into the profound realities of one deity or another. Unlike the official state religions, in which people were expected to make an outward show of allegiance to the local gods, the mysteries emphasized an inwardness and privacy of worship within a closed band of initiates.

In this book, Marvin W. Meyer explores the sacrifices and prayers, the public celebrations and secret ceremonies, the theatrical performances and literary works, the gods and goddesses that were a part of the mystery religions of Greece in the seventh century B.C. to the Judaism and Christianity of the Roman world of the seventh century A.D.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    280 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of Pennsylvania Press
  4. Publication date
    May 7, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    6.1 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    081221692X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0812216929
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The ancient mysteries have remained all too mysterious because of the lack of ready access to them. . . . Now we have in one volume a fine collection of the sources that have survived. . . . This will be for many students the lifting of the veil for which they have been looking." ― James Robinson, Institute of Antiquity and Christianity, The Claremont Graduate School

"The Ancient Mysteries contains a very balanced selection of sources for the study of the ancient so-called mystery religions, starting with Eleusis and ending with mysteries in Judaism and Christianity. . . . No other modern sourcebook exists in this field. Therefore this book fills a gap not only in the area of late antiquity and early Christianity, but also in the field of history of religions in general." ― Kurt Rudolph, Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Germany

"Unlike most books on 'ancient mysteries,' this one is based on careful reading of the original texts in their original languages. It is a competent, intelligent, and sympathetic study of which the original conclusions deserve careful consideration." ― Morton Smith, author of Jesus the Magician and The Secret Gospel

Book Description

"A very balanced selection of sources for the study of the ancient so-called mystery religions, starting with Eleusis and ending with mysteries in Judaism and Christianity. . . . No other modern sourcebook exists in this field."—Kurt Rudolph

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Pennsylvania Press; First Edition (May 7, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 081221692X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812216929
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

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Marvin Meyer

Marvin Meyer
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Marvin Meyer is one of the foremost scholars on gnosticism, the Nag Hammadi library, and texts about Jesus outside the New Testament.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
70 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Doug Welch
5.0 out of 5 stars An immense resource for students of ancient pagan cults
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2016
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Best one stop shop for texts, incantations, songs and other primary sources relating to the actual liturgies of ancient initiated cults. During the disastrous period of the Roman Crisis of the Third Century the official cult of traditional Olympian gods had fallen out of popularity and was widely augmented with if not replaced by the charismatic Mystery Schools, cults where members would be initiated through participating in a variety of rituals in order to feel like they were in the presence of the gods. Mithras, Isis and Osiris, the Orphic Cult, the Eleusinian Mysteries, it is all in here! The sources for this work include inscriptions, old papyri, ancient codices, rediscovered palimpsests and other odd out of the way sources of ancient knowledge.
A word of warning! Novices in ancient paganism should not attempt to physically recreate the rituals in this book, the tauroboleum is particularly messy! Plus I don't know where you can get a bull. But seriously, this book is the best place to get your hands on the actual texts the ancients utilized in their quest to meet the divine. If you are really interested, this book will only make for more, deeper and better questions as to the nature of the cults that were obliterated by the adoption of Christianity and its own wave of vengeful intolerance as it permanently became the official state religion of Rome in the 380s.
10 people found this helpful
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Crow King
5.0 out of 5 stars Seemed good to me
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
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Two things. First, while I know quite a bit about the ancient world., I'm not an expert. Second, I read this book about a year before I wrote this review, so there's that.

That being said, I thought it was a good overview of the material and highlighted just how much we really don't know about the mysteries. A good layman read, but if you want a scholarly treatment in depth you'd be better off looking elsewhere.
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Sam Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful tool for serious students
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2001
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A powerful book for serious students. You'll discover the evidence firsthand, right from the pens of ancient authors.
The Mysteries (the term comes from the Greek word for "initiation") were a group of Pagan religions, dating from roughly 600 BC, that were distinct from the more familiar Pagan temple worship. The Gods of the Mystery religions had differing names and myths, but the faiths themselves had features in common: their Gods died and came back to life; they were personal religions entered into voluntarily via initiation ceremonies that reenacted the God's death and rebirth and were often described as giving salvation and even eternal life; they had ritual celebrations including food and drink that reenacted a holy meal established by the God; their teachings brought the faithful closer to an understanding of God.
Although you don't hear about them in Sunday School, mystery religions are an established part of modern religious scholarship. This book, complied by a mainstream scholar, is made up of a concise introduction to the Mysteries, followed by extended excerpts from ancient sources. You'll read about: the pagan god "incognito, disguised as a man"; pagan Gods dying and being reborn with the meaning that "the God is saved, and we shall have salvation."; initiation ceremonies described as "a voluntary death"; sacred meals; ceremonial washing; pagan miracles; the pagan god who changed water into wine; the pagan version of the great flood. And much more.
Not always easy reading, but a powerful book for serious students. Highly recommended.
190 people found this helpful
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Astara
5.0 out of 5 stars Good History Lesson
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2013
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Very well presented. The seeds of many of today's practicing religions can be found in the precepts of these early religions, but like another reviewer surmised, you won't find THESE stories taught in church! However, at that time in history, these tales and beliefs were just as engrained in the populace as are the "religions" practiced today. The things we call myths today weren't considered myths at all in antiquity, and I wonder if the things we are being taught today in churches won't be viewed as myths in the future. Warning! This book is only for the intelligent, open minded person.
7 people found this helpful
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BJS
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating & Informative
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2010
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This is an extremely well-written book. The translations of ancient texts are excellent and easy to read. Together with the explanations they enable the reader to get a deeper understanding and insight into religious beliefs in the ancient Mediterranean world.
Various religious practices from rituals and sacrifice to holy myths are well documented and explained.
Unfortunately most of these texts have only come down to us fragmented and secret teachings are mostly lost. As the only holy book (besides the Bible) that has survived intact from antiquity I would recommend  The Life of Apollonius of Tyana .
15 people found this helpful
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Christopher R. Travers
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting work
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2009
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This book contains various translations of ancient works relating to mystery cults. A great deal of focus is placed on Greek and Roman works. This is therefore a nice reference to the topic.

I found the translations to be, for the most part, clear, accessible, and to preserve a great deal of emotional power that these original sources had. This is an extremely important work on the subject.
8 people found this helpful
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Earl J. Campbell
3.0 out of 5 stars I personally think there are much better books to get
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2015
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The lack of an index is very disappointing. I personally think there are much better books to get.
2 people found this helpful
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Roger Rooks
5.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries book
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2011
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Loved it! Of course as usual it was on time and less then the schedule suggested. It is a remarkable book and one I have wanted for a long time. It answers many guestions for me.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

pierre desrochers
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2016
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impecvcable
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P.Barker
3.0 out of 5 stars Ancient Mysteries - will we ever know the truth?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 24, 2015
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Pulls many ancient sources together for easy reference. Not awe inspiring but none the less a useful work based on original texts.
One person found this helpful
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