The Religion of Greece in Prehistoric Times

The Religion of Greece in Prehistoric Times, by Axel W. Persson, investigates the forms and continuities of Minoan and Mycenaean religious life and their survival in later Greek myth. Based on archaeological discoveries such as signet rings, seals, and cultic artifacts, Persson reconstructs rituals centered on the vegetation cycle—seasonal observances of sowing, harvest, death, and rebirth—and situates them within the broader context of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern religions. Sacr...