Inconsistencies in Greek and Roman Religion, Volume 1: Ter Unus. Isis, Dionysos, Hermes. Three Studies in Henotheism: Ter Unus : Isis Dionysus, Hermes ... (Studies in Greek and Roman Religion, Vo) - Hardcover

"...richly informative and stimulating." - J. Gwyn Griffiths, in: The Classical Review, 1992 "...demonstration rigoureuse, servie par une connaissance approfondie des sources et des theories modernes..." - Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge, in: L'Antiquite Classique, 1993 "...fast immer sehr uberzeugend und oft uberraschend..." - Fritz Graf, in: SO Jhrg., 1993 "A work to be viewed with some scepticism and considerable admiration." - Richard Hamilton, in: Bryn Mawr Classical Review, 1991 "This is a book to be savoured at leisure." - in: Greece and Rome, 1993 "...this perceptive and innovative scholar's rich historical work..." - Luther H. Martin, in: Greco-Roman World, 1992 "These studies are indeed impressive and profound." - Hans Dieter Betz, in: The Journal of Religion "Scholars will find in these two volumes new subjects for thought and a new approach to old subjects." - Joseph S. Pendergast, in: Religious Studies Review, 1994

This is the first of a two-volume collection of studies in inconsistencies in Greek and Roman religion. Their common aim is to argue for the historical relevance of various types of ambiguity and dissonance. The first volume focuses on the central paradoxes in ancient henotheism. The term 'henotheism' -- a modern formation after the stereotyped acclamation: #EIS O QEOS# ("one is the god"), common to early Christianity and contemporaneous paganism -- denotes the specific devotion to one particular god without denying the existence of, or even cultic attention to, other gods. After its prime in the twenties and thirties of this century the term fell into disuse. Nonetheless, the notion of henotheism represents one of the most remarkable and significant shifts in Graeco-Roman religion and hence deserves fresh reconsideration.