Animal Sacrifice in Ancient Greek Religion, Judaism, and Christianity, 100 BC to AD 200

by Maria-Zoe Petropoulou

Overview

In this study of the ritual of animal sacrifice in ancient Greek religion, Judaism, and Christianity in the period between 100 BC and AD 200, Maria-Zoe Petropoulou explores the attitudes of early Christians towards the realities of sacrifice in the Greek East and in the Jerusalem Temple (up to AD 70). Contrary to other studies in this area, she demonstrates that the process by which Christianity finally separated its own cultic code from the strong tradition of animal sacrifice was a slow and difficult one. Petropoulou places special emphasis on the fact that Christians gave completely new meanings to the term ‘sacrifice'. She also explores the question why, if animal sacrifice was of prime importance in the eastern Mediterranean at this time, Christians should ultimately have rejected it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199218547
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/15/2008
Series:	Oxford Classical Monographs
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 5.70(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Maria-Zoe Petropoulou is a teacher on the International Baccalaureate Program of the Hellenic American Foundation, Athens.

Table of Contents

1. Approaching the Issue of Sacrifice2. Greek Animal Sacrifice in the Period 100 BC to AD 2003. From Greek Religion to Judaism: A Bridge4. Jewish Animal Sacrifice in the Period 100 BC to AD 2005. A Bridge Linking Greek Religion and Judaism to Christianity6. Christians and Animal Sacrifice in the Period up to AD 200Conclusions

Editorial Reviews

"A seminal work of meticulous scholariship that has been critiqued by the Oxford Classical Monograph Series' Faculty Board of Classics, and therefore is very strongly recommended as an informed and informative addition to personal, academic, and community library reference collections and supplemental reading lists." —The Midwest Book Review

"A seminal work of meticulous scholariship that has been critiqued by the Oxford Classical Monograph Series' Faculty Board of Classics, and therefore is very strongly recommended as an informed and informative addition to personal, academic, and community library reference collections and supplemental reading lists." —The Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher