Legible religion: books, gods, and rituals in Roman culture

"What was the significance of books in a religion without a sacred text? From the beginning of critical study of religion, the presence of Scripture - sacred and authoritative texts - has divided a few privileged Religions of the Book from other religions, including Roman religion, that lack su...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: MacRae, Duncan (Author)
Format: Print Book
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge, Massachusetts London, England Harvard University Press 2016
In:Year: 2016
Reviews:[Rezension von: MacRae, Duncan, Legible religion] (2016) (Rüpke, Jörg, 1962 -)
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Roman Empire / Religion / Reception / Literary production
B Religious life / Reading behavior
RelBib Classification:BE Greco-Roman religions
Further subjects:B Sacred Books
B Religion and literature (Rome)
B Varro, Marcus Terentius (116 BC-27 BC)
B Mishnah Comparative studies
B Gods, Roman, in literature
B Augustinus, Aurelius Saint (354-430) De civitate dei
B Rome Religion
Online Access: Review
Rezension (Verlag)
Description
Summary:"What was the significance of books in a religion without a sacred text? From the beginning of critical study of religion, the presence of Scripture - sacred and authoritative texts - has divided a few privileged Religions of the Book from other religions, including Roman religion, that lack such books. Arguing that we should look beyond this distinction, Legible Religion examines the role of books in Roman religious culture. In order to get at the question of the place of books in religion, the study includes an extended comparison between Roman books on their religion and the Mishnah, an early Rabbinic compilation of Jewish practice and law, to highlight how non-Scriptural texts can play an important part in the demarcation of religious systems."--Provided by publisher
"What was the significance of books in a religion without a sacred text? From the beginning of critical study of religion, the presence of Scripture - sacred and authoritative texts - has divided a few privileged Religions of the Book from other religions, including Roman religion, that lack such books. Arguing that we should look beyond this distinction, Legible Religion examines the role of books in Roman religious culture. In order to get at the question of the place of books in religion, the study includes an extended comparison between Roman books on their religion and the Mishnah, an early Rabbinic compilation of Jewish practice and law, to highlight how non-Scriptural texts can play an important part in the demarcation of religious systems."--Provided by publisher
Item Description:Includes bibliographical references and index
Rezension (Review): Augustiniana 68 (2018) 329-333 (M. Vessey)
ISBN:0674088719