Sacred Britannia

Sacred Britannia
Author: Miranda Aldhouse-green
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018-08-07
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 050025222X

A compelling new account of religion in Roman Britain, weaving together the latest archaeological research and a new analysis of ancient literature to illuminate parallels between past and present Two thousand years ago, the Romans sought to absorb into their empire what they regarded as a remote, almost mythical island on the very edge of the known world—Britain. The expeditions of Julius Caesar and the Claudian invasion of 43 CE, up to the traditional end of Roman Britain in the fifth century CE, brought fundamental and lasting changes to the island. Not least among these was a pantheon of new classical deities and religious systems, along with a clutch of exotic eastern cults, including Christianity. But what homegrown deities, cults, and cosmologies did the Romans encounter in Britain, and how did the British react to the changes? Under Roman rule, the old gods and their adherents were challenged, adopted, adapted, absorbed, and reconfigured. Miranda Aldhouse- Green balances literary, archaeological, and iconographic evidence (and scrutinizes the shortcomings of each) to illuminate the complexity of religion and belief in Roman Britain. She examines the two-way traffic of cultural exchange and the interplay between imported and indigenous factions to reveal how this period on the cusp between prehistory and history knew many of the same tensions, ideologies, and issues of identity still relevant today.

Pagan Britain

Pagan Britain
Author: Ronald Hutton
Publisher: Yale University Press
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2014-05-13
Genre: History
ISBN: 0300198582

Britain's pagan past, with its mysterious monuments, atmospheric sites, enigmatic artifacts, bloodthirsty legends, and cryptic inscriptions, is both enthralling and perplexing to a resident of the twenty-first century. In this ambitious and thoroughly up-to-date book, Ronald Hutton reveals the long development, rapid suppression, and enduring cultural significance of paganism, from the Paleolithic Era to the coming of Christianity. He draws on an array of recently discovered evidence and shows how new findings have radically transformed understandings of belief and ritual in Britain before the arrival of organized religion. Setting forth a chronological narrative, Hutton along the way makes side visits to explore specific locations of ancient pagan activity. He includes the well-known sacred sites—Stonehenge, Avebury, Seahenge, Maiden Castle, Anglesey—as well as more obscure locations across the mainland and coastal islands. In tireless pursuit of the elusive “why” of pagan behavior, Hutton astonishes with the breadth of his understanding of Britain’s deep past and inspires with the originality of his insights.

Judah's Scepter and the Sacred Stone

Judah's Scepter and the Sacred Stone
Author: D. A. Brittain
Publisher: First Edition Design Pub.
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2016-08-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1506902316

Princess Teia, daughter of Judah’s last king, begins a harrowing journey after she’s rescued by the Prophet Jeremiah from the burning city of Jerusalem. They flee to Egypt, where amid Teia’s efforts to cope with devastating loss comes an unexpected awakening of her heart when she meets Eochaid, a foreign prince. The two young nobles fall in love, but are soon forced to part and follow their preordained destines of ruling separate nations. Against the backdrop of daring escapes on land and sea, raging sword battles, and deadly sorcerers, an emotional journey ensues across multiple continents for both Teia and Eochaid. All the while they’re unaware that God’s steady hand guides their paths as part of his plan to restore Judah’s everlasting throne—as symbolized by the sacred stone that Israel’s patriarch Jacob once used as a pillow in the wilderness. Keywords: Adventure, Romance, Inspirational, Biblical, Christian, Historical, Fiction, Religious, Fantasy, Series

Twilight of the Godlings

Twilight of the Godlings
Author: Francis Young
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 385
Release: 2023-03-31
Genre: History
ISBN: 1009330365

A bold and field-defining exploration of the cultural and religious origins of Britain's small gods, fairies and other supernatural beings.

UnRoman Britain

UnRoman Britain
Author: Miles Russell
Publisher: The History Press
Total Pages: 301
Release: 2011-09-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 0752469290

When we think of Roman Britain we tend to think of a land of togas and richly decorated palaces with Britons happily going about their much improved daily business under the benign gaze of Rome. This image is to a great extent a fiction. In fact, Britons were some of the least enthusiastic members of the Roman Empire. A few adopted roman ways to curry favour with the invaders. A lot never adopted a Roman lifestyle at all and remained unimpressed and riven by deep-seated tribal division. It wasn't until the late third/early fourth century that a small minority of landowners grew fat on the benefits of trade and enjoyed the kind of lifestyle we have been taught to associate with period. Britannia was a far-away province which, whilst useful for some major economic reserves, fast became a costly and troublesome concern for Rome, much like Iraq for the British government today. Huge efforts by the state to control the hearts and minds of the Britons were met with at worst hostile resistance and rebellion, and at best by steadfast indifference. The end of the Roman Empire largely came as 'business as usual' for the vast majority of Britons as they simply hadn't adopted the Roman way of life in the first place.

Sacred Places Europe

Sacred Places Europe
Author: Brad Olsen
Publisher: CCC Publishing
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2007
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781888729122

Combining current trends, academic theories, and historical insights, this travel guide brings both lesser-known and famous European spiritual locales into perspective by explaining the significance of each sacred site. The cultural relevance, history, and spirituality of each site—including Stonehenge, the Acropolis, Mont Saint Michel, Pompeii, and Saint Peter’s Basilica—are explained, creating a moving and artistic travel experience. Each destination—with selections spanning more than 15 countries throughout Europe—is accompanied by easy-to-follow maps and directions.

Rethinking the Ancient Druids

Rethinking the Ancient Druids
Author: Miranda Aldhouse-Green
Publisher: University of Wales Press
Total Pages: 243
Release: 2021-09-15
Genre: History
ISBN: 1786837994

Relevance of the religious beliefs and practices of past European societies can enhance understanding of our own. The popular notion of Druids is unpacked and debunked using archaeological evidence. New research findings are shared with readers in accessible and engaging ways, enhanced by copious illustrations that weave into the text. The book is thoroughly readable and tells stories of the past in a deeply compelling manner.

Darwin's Sacred Cause

Darwin's Sacred Cause
Author: Adrian Desmond
Publisher: HMH
Total Pages: 513
Release: 2014-11-11
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0547527756

An “arresting” and deeply personal portrait that “confront[s] the touchy subject of Darwin and race head on” (The New York Times Book Review). It’s difficult to overstate the profound risk Charles Darwin took in publishing his theory of evolution. How and why would a quiet, respectable gentleman, a pillar of his parish, produce one of the most radical ideas in the history of human thought? Drawing on a wealth of manuscripts, family letters, diaries, and even ships’ logs, Adrian Desmond and James Moore have restored the moral missing link to the story of Charles Darwin’s historic achievement. Nineteenth-century apologists for slavery argued that blacks and whites had originated as separate species, with whites created superior. Darwin, however, believed that the races belonged to the same human family. Slavery was therefore a sin, and abolishing it became Darwin’s sacred cause. His theory of evolution gave a common ancestor not only to all races, but to all biological life. This “masterful” book restores the missing moral core of Darwin’s evolutionary universe, providing a completely new account of how he came to his shattering theories about human origins (Publishers Weekly, starred review). It will revolutionize your view of the great naturalist. “An illuminating new book.” —Smithsonian “Compelling . . . Desmond and Moore aptly describe Darwin’s interaction with some of the thorniest social and political issues of the day.” —Wired “This exciting book is sure to create a stir.” —Janet Browne, Aramont Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University, and author of Charles Darwin: Voyaging