Singing for the Gods: Performances of Myth and Ritual in Archaic and Classical Greece (Oxford Classical Monographs) - Softcover

Kowalzig, Barbara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199639507 ISBN 13: 9780199639502

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2011

Synopsis

Singing for the Gods develops a new approach towards an old question in the study of religion - the relationship of myth and ritual. Focusing on ancient Greek religion, Barbara Kowalzig exploits the joint occurrence of myth and ritual in archaic and classical Greek song-culture. She shows how choral performances of myth and ritual, taking place all over the ancient Greek world in the early fifth century B.C., help to effect social and political change in their own time. Religious song emerges as integral to a rapidly changing society hovering between local, regional, and panhellenic identities and between aristocratic rule and democracy. Drawing on contemporary debates on myth, ritual, and performance in social anthropology, modern history, and theatre studies, this book establishes Greek religion's dynamic role and gives religious song-culture its deserved place in the study of Greek history.

About this title

About the Author

Barbara Kowalzig is Leverhulme Research Fellow at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199639507
• ISBN 13: 9780199639502
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 528