In the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, secret societies practised rituals, the knowledge of which has since been lost to time. These rituals, known as 'mysteries', continue to fascinate historians who seek to piece together disparate sources, from scant written accounts to evidence found at archaeological sites, in an attempt to further understand these fascinating cults. Professor Hugh Bowden of King's College London has spent many years studying Greek religion and to celebrate the release of his seminal work, Mystery Cults In The Ancient World, in paperback, he spoke to us about these groups, their various practices and the difficulties posed by researching something intended to remain secret.
In the introduction to your book, you define both the use of the word 'mystery' and the term 'mystery cult' in this context, could you just explain these definitions for the benefit of our readers?
The word 'mystery' originates from an ancient Athenian festival, the Eleusinian Mysteries, and in this context actually refers to a festival involving initiation. 'Mystery cult' is a modern term and can be an unhelpful one. For example, the Eleusinian Mysteries are a festival in honour of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone (referred to in ancient times as Kore). And whilst initiation was important, there were lots of other activities that were just part of the worship of that goddess that were not particularly 'cult-like'. However, other cults like the Mysteries of Mithras involve meetings of small groups of initiates and in that sense is closer to what we would consider cult practices. So we don't use the terms 'mystery' or 'cult' quite in the way that we do in modern parlance, though there is some overlap.
Why were these separate groups linked under the mystery cults?
Denne historien er fra Issue 133-utgaven av All About History UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 133-utgaven av All About History UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE
Guy Ritchie's entertaining WWII thriller throws light on Operation Postmaster
SURVIVING A FINANCIAL CRISIS
Jame DiBiasio explores how financiers can learn from the mistakes of the past
FORT KNOX BULLION DEPOSITORY
United States 1937-present
MUSSOLINI HAD JOINED THE ALLIES?
Driven by ambition, Italy's participation in the Axis war effort led to the collapse of its empire, the fall of the Fascist Party and Mussolini's death Interview
BATTLE OF DETTINGEN
DETTINGEN (MODERN-DAY KARLSTEIN AM MAIN, GERMANY), 27 JUNE 1743
THE USSR's FAKE OLYMPICS,
Having boycotted the 1984 games in Los Angeles, the Soviet Union hosted its own competition
Hürrem Sultan
From slave girl to imperial consort, how one girl captured the heart of an emperor to become the most powerful woman in Ottoman history
OVERTHROWING THE MONGOLS
How a Buddhist rebellion toppled the mighty empire and began the rise of the Ming dynasty Written
MAKING A MONSTER
Natalie Lawrence explores the creation of enchanted creatures through 15,000 years of history Interview
SECRETS OF THE PYRAMIDS
From sacred rituals to hidden treasure, uncover why these world wonders were built