European Paganism provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of ancient pagan religions throughout the European continent.
Before there where Christians, the peoples of Europe were pagans. Were they bloodthirsty savages hanging human offerings from trees? Were they happy ecologists, valuing the unpolluted rivers and mountains? In European Paganism Ken Dowden outlines and analyses the diverse aspects of pagan ritual and culture from human sacrifice to pilgrimage lunar festivals and tree worship. It includes:
* a 'timelines' chart to aid with chronology
* many quotations from ancient and modern sources translated from the original language where necessary, to make them accessible
* a comprehensive bibliography and guide to further reading.
Biography
Ken Dowden
'Masterful overview ... Dowden has a winning way with words, and a gift for making the complexities of faith simple and accessible.' - The Independent
'The book is a delight to read. Dowden has an attractive style, and chooses his quotations so that they illuminate the matters he is discussing.' - D. Cohen, Wood and Water, No. 71
'European Paganism is vintage Ken Dowden and that, of course means its always challenging and informative and often very amusing.' - Greece and Rome
'Hutton shows us that paganism is a matter of interest not only for the classicst and archaeologist, but for the modern historian as well. In doing so his Triumph of the Moon proves to be a triumph of cultural history.' - Owen Davies
'This is a colussus of a book. It approaches a familiar subject from fresh angles and provides a whole new perspective on European Paganism ... One of the most important books to be written on the subject - ever!' - Pagan Dawn
