Course Listings

REL 221 Hellenistic Mystery Religions (.5)

A survey of the religions of personal salvation which engulfed the Mediterranean world during the Hellenistic age (c.330-30 BCE), including the worship of the Magna Mater in Asia Minor, the Egyptian cult of Isis and Serapis, the Syrian worship of Bel (Ba'al), Persian Mithraism and Babylonian astrology. Special attention will be given to the theodicy problem, the rise of redeemer figures and religious syncretism.

• Offering: Alternate years in fall
• Instructor: McGaughy