Dying for the Gods: Human Sacrifice in Iron Age & Roman Europe

by Miranda Aldhouse Green

Overview

Sacrifice, like death, is one of the great taboos of modern society. The notion that human sacrifice, and even cannibalism, could be considered a most holy act is almost inconceivable. Yet the evidence for human sacrifice in northwest Europe, deriving from both archaeology and the testimony of Classical writers of the first centuries BC and AD, has to be confronted. Professor Green puts forward some reasons for ritual murder and shows how the multiple deposits of bog-bodies at sites like Tollund and Lindow illustrate the importance of place in the sacrificial rite. She also highlights the essential role of the priesthood in sacrificial murder.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780752425283
Publisher:	Tempus Publishing, Limited
Publication date:	04/01/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.60(d)