For public purposes these are very well served lectures that guide through a general outline of several clusters of historical beliefs among the Romans, Greeks and some other cultures, retracing their mutations and changes. Seldom they are accentuating which ones were absorbed into the Christian worldview. It is a cleverly composed work, which at its foundation is secular, yet of high necromantic value for intentful researchers. One may rely on the visions of sages, speculation of the poets, to the contrary - the crowd and the atheist Epicurean uncrowns their vista, yet to the detriment of the link between the world of the living and Thanathos in Veils that sustained bears poisoned fruits that heal both worlds, if understood properly. ( )

For public purposes these are very well served lectures that guide through a general outline of several clusters of historical beliefs among the Romans, Greeks and some other cultures, retracing their mutations and changes. Seldom they are accentuating which ones were absorbed into the Christian worldview. It is a cleverly composed work, which at its foundation is secular, yet of high necromantic value for intentful researchers. One may rely on the visions of sages, speculation of the poets, to the contrary - the crowd and the atheist Epicurean uncrowns their vista, yet to the detriment of the link between the world of the living and Thanathos in Veils that sustained bears poisoned fruits that heal both worlds, if understood properly. ( )

For public purposes these are very well served lectures that guide through a general outline of several clusters of historical beliefs among the Romans, Greeks and some other cultures, retracing their mutations and changes. Seldom they are accentuating which ones were absorbed into the Christian worldview. It is a cleverly composed work, which at its foundation is secular, yet of high necromantic value for intentful researchers. One may rely on the visions of sages, speculation of the poets, to the contrary - the crowd and the atheist Epicurean uncrowns their vista, yet to the detriment of the link between the world of the living and Thanathos in Veils that sustained bears poisoned fruits that heal both worlds, if understood properly. ( )

A well written, lucid account of the history and evolution of after life ideas in the Roman pagans. There are several wonderful things to look at in this book: that there was once a society, about a hundred years ago, where a scholar could deliver lectures of this nature, print them, and reasonably expect to have a decent hearing. That there was once a time in academia, about a hundred years ago, when a philosopher could write clearly and succinctly, and keep it interesting. That there was once a time when people were interested in knowing what pagans thought, rather than just making up their own new religions and acting like that was the sum total of pagan thought (yes, Wicca, I'm talking to you). In reading this book, I am reminded once again of how important it is for people who want to talk about Christianity and the history of Christianity to spend some reasonable amount of time familiarizing themselves with the world in which Christianity was born. It is very difficult to read these sources without noticing the familiar themes, and thinking, ah, so this really did preexist Christianity. It really wasn't that odd to have a god that died and was reborn. It really wasn't that odd to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the gods. This is a wonderful book, and in spite of its age, it is worth reading for anyone who is interested in any aspect of religion, ancient or modern. I recommend it highly. ( )