Hellenistic Religions: An Introduction

Abstract

This is a brief and lively introduction to the religious institutions, beliefs and practices of the Graeco-Roman world during the 'Hellenistic Age' (c.300 BC-300 AD). Discussion of the various phenomena of Hellenistic religion is organized around the three classic types: piety, mystery, and gnosis. As the author follows the historical development of these phenomena, he demonstrates the effect of religion on two fundamental transformations of the Hellenistic world-view. The first of these is the transformation of the understanding of the structure of the cosmos from the archaic to the 'Ptolemaic' view. The second transformation is what Martin describes as a shift in the relative importance of masculine and feminine god-images. He concludes with a discussion of late Hellenistic religion's interaction with and influence on early Christianity.