Worshipping Virtues: Personification and the Divine in Ancient Greece

The culture of ancient Greece was filled with personified figures, such as Peitho, Eirene, and Hygieia, who were worshipped with temples and sacrifices. This study examines the logic, psychology, and practice of these worshippers and considers general questions of Greek psychology, such as why so many of these figures were female. It contributes to the debate on whether the Greeks believed their own myths.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Classical Press of Wales

The ancient Greek culture was a vibrant tapestry woven with countless personifications, where abstract concepts took on human form in poetry and the visual arts. The Greeks, in the words of Dr. Johnson, dared to assign effects to non-entities, shocking the mind with their imaginative interpretations. This captivating study delves into the intricate logic, psychology, and practices of the Greeks who revered these personified deities through temples, sacrifices, hymns, and prayers. Dr. Stafford conducts in-depth case studies of deified abstractions like Peitho (Persuasion), Eirene (Peace), and Hygieia (Health). Additionally, she explores broader questions of Greek psychology, such as the prevalence of female figures in these roles. Modern scholars have pondered the question, "Did the Greeks believe their own myths?" This study adds valuable insights to the ongoing debate by uncovering the widespread and creative popular theology that flourished during the historical period.

The ancient Greek culture was a vibrant tapestry woven with countless personifications, where abstract concepts took on human form in poetry and the visual arts. The Greeks, in the words of Dr. Johnson, dared to assign effects to non-entities, shocking the mind with their imaginative interpretations. This captivating study delves into the intricate logic, psychology, and practices of the Greeks who revered these personified deities through temples, sacrifices, hymns, and prayers. Dr. Stafford conducts in-depth case studies of deified abstractions like Peitho (Persuasion), Eirene (Peace), and Hygieia (Health). Additionally, she explores broader questions of Greek psychology, such as the prevalence of female figures in these roles. Modern scholars have pondered the question, "Did the Greeks believe their own myths?" This study adds valuable insights to the ongoing debate by uncovering the widespread and creative popular theology that flourished during the historical period.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914535291