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The ancient Mysteries have long attracted the interest of scholars, an interest that goes back at least to the time of the Reformation. After a period of interest around the turn of the twentieth century, recent decades have seen an important study of Walter Burkert (1987). Yet his thematic approach makes it hard to see how the actual initiation into the Mysteries took place. To do precisely that is the aim of this book.It gives a ‘thick description’ of the major Mysteries, not only of the famous Eleusinian Mysteries, but also those located at the interface of Greece and Anatolia: the Mysteries of Samothrace, Imbros and Lemnos as well as those of the Corybants. It then proceeds to look at the Orphic-Bacchic Mysteries, which have become increasingly better understood due to the many discoveries of new texts in the recent times. Having looked at classical Greece we move on to the Roman Empire, where we study not only the lesser Mysteries, which we know especially from Pausanias, but also the new ones of Isis and Mithras. We conclude our book with a discussion of the possible influence of the Mysteries on emerging Christianity.Its detailed references and up-to-date bibliography will make this book indispensable for any scholar interested in the Mysteries and ancient religion, but also for those scholars who work on initiation or esoteric rituals, which were often inspired by the ancient Mysteries.

Antiquity, cult, initiation, mysteries

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The present volume`s focus lies on the formation of a multifaceted discourse on Christian martyrdom in Late Antiquity. While martyrdom accounts remain a central means of defining Christian identity, new literary genres emerge, e.g., the Lives of Saints (Athanasius on Antony), sermons (the Cappadocians), hymns (Prudentius). Authors like Eusebius of Caesarea and Augustine employ martyrological language and motifs in their writings, while beyond the borders of the Roman Empire, new martyrs` narratives can be found. The volume thus enlarges and specifies our knowledge of this important Christian discourse.

Martyrdom --- Hagiography --- Late Antiquity

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Citée discrètement, utilisée comme toile de fond ou comme motif principal, l’Antiquité irrigue, inspire et influence les productions audiovisuelles contemporaines de tout genre. La culture classique occupe en effet une place majeure dans la construction des sociétés occidentales et fait depuis de nombreuses années l’objet de travaux scientifiques, notamment dans les pays anglo-saxons. Ces études, que certains nomment les « reception studies », commencent depuis peu à intéresser la recherche française. Cependant, celle-ci se concentre avant tout sur l’époque moderne et les débuts de la période contemporaine, délaissant la période la plus actuelle. De plus, les études concernant les manifestations les plus récentes de l’Antiquité dans la culture populaire se consacrent généralement à la littérature, à la bande dessinée et aux péplums, ceux de la vague d’après 2000 ayant cependant été peu traités. Ce volume rassemble les actes du colloque Antiquipop qui s’est tenu en mai 2016 à Lyon. Il propose de se concentrer sur les références à l’Antiquité dans la culture populaire la plus contemporaine, et sur des supports trop peu considérés : le jeu vidéo, les séries télévisées, l’art, la musique pop… Ces médias, à la fois divers et interconnectés, et pour la plupart issus de la culture de masse, constituent une vaste interface entre nos sociétés et la culture classique : y étudier la présence de l’Antiquité fournit un miroir de notre époque et de notre rapport au passé, que les auteurs réunis ici proposent de saisir. En abordant des figures emblématiques, telles qu’Alexandre ou Cléopâtre, ou des références mythologiques, comme les sirènes ou les Amazones, ces actes offrent un panorama de ces représentations dans la culture populaire contemporaine et suggèrent d’analyser notre relation à l’Antiquité, dans toute sa profondeur et sa complexité.

Antiquity --- pop culture

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That inscriptions are not only texts but also material objects of specific materiality and presence is one of the recent central insights of ancient epigraphy. This understanding is applied here for the first time systematically, across different regions and over an entire epoch, by examining the change in the inscriptions culture in late antiquity with a view of the Italian peninsula.

Late antiquity --- inscriptions --- Italy --- materiality

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An interpretation of the god Dionysos as seen by Greek vase painters before the golden age of classical culture, which will help understand his wide popularity beyond wine consumption, which lasted until the end of antiquity.

Classics --- Religion in Antiquity --- Classical Studies