The ancient world was home to a diverse array of religions that predated the rise of Christianity. These ancient religions varied greatly in their beliefs, practices, and cultural significance. Some of the major ancient religions include the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman religions. In ancient Egypt, religion played a central role in society and culture. The Egyptians believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses, with each deity representing various aspects of life and nature. The pharaohs were seen as divine rulers who acted as intermediaries between the gods and the people.
Hans-Friedrich Mueller., Hans-Friedrich Mueller|ACTOR., The Great Courses|DIRECTOR., & The Great Courses|PRODUCER. (2020). Pagan World: Ancient Religions before Christianity: Early Pagan Religion in Mesopotamia . The Great Courses.
In particular, processions offered a kind of per- formed theology in which a select group of gods, represented or made present in a variety of ways and transported by various means, were organized hierarchically and relationally in arrangements that could vary depending upon occasion and context. As is commonly accepted, ancient Roman civic religion emphasized orthopraxy, the meticulously correct performance of ritual, at the expense of orthodoxy to such an extent that one could argue that the Romans could think whatever they wanted, so long as they did the right thing.
The pharaohs were seen as divine rulers who acted as intermediaries between the gods and the people. The afterlife held great importance in Egyptian religion, and elaborate rituals and ceremonies were performed to ensure a smooth transition into the next life. Mesopotamia, which encompassed the region of modern-day Iraq and parts of Syria and Iran, was another ancient civilization with a complex religious system.
The true meaning of Paganism
The word "paganism" has come to refer to various pre-Christian religions belonging to a number of ancient cultures—those from Greece, Rome, Egypt, Scandinavia, and so on. It has come to also represent, in some circles, the modern ideology of Wicca and the followers of revived versions of the old practices. The truth about "paganism", however, is that it is a historically inaccurate phrase in the context of these aforementioned faiths. Although it is now the accepted term for these religions, it is important to examine where the word truly came from and what it initially meant, allowing for a better, all-inclusive understanding of the world's religious past.
The term "paganism" was revived during the Renaissance when writers were trying to differentiate the old traditions from their contemporary Christian faith. The term itself stems from the Latin paganus translated loosely along the lines of "country dweller" or "rustic"; thus it was initially a word describing a person of locality rather than a religion. However, because of its usage in ancient texts, medieval authors mistakenly believed it referenced a religious sect and thereby gave it the corresponding connotation. In actuality, there was a different word used to describe the "pagans" as they are called today, and that word too stemmed first and foremost from the location of the religious supporters.
According to scholar Peter Brown of Princeton University, "Hellene" was initially utilized in place of "paganism". "Hellene" was a reference to Ἕλλην (Hellas), the native ancient Greek name for what is now called Greece. Brown explains that when Christianity started making appearances in the eastern communities, "Hellene" was used to differentiate the non-Christians from the Christians. Those from Hellas tended to remain faithful to the old religions, but with the strife between Judaism and Christianity beginning, the Jewish faction needed to ensure they were not incorrectly associated with them. As they were not from Greece, "Hellene" became the perfect title.
An ancient temple devoted to the god Zeus. Credit: MM, Public Domain
In the Latin west, it was more common for the various religions to refer to themselves by their ethnic origins rather than by the gods they worshipped—they simply referred to themselves (in their own language) as Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, etc., simultaneously insinuating their religious factions as well. This form of labeling was largely due to the fact that the political and religious aspects of life were a unified entity. Thus, the tradition of ethnic titling appears to have been continued by the early Christians. As far as ancient sources can tell, it wasn't until the Late Roman Empire that the term "pagan" began to be used instead, as it was an easy way to lump all the non-Christians together in conversation, decrees, etc. It rose to popularity as a matter of convenience rather than of accuracy and respect.
It is important to note that "paganism" is not intended to differentiate the polytheistic religions from the monotheistic. The number of gods does not apply to the term because many so-called "pagans" would have not considered it important to differentiate themselves based on the number of gods they worshipped. Followers of the ancient religions did not necessarily have anything against Christianity based on its preference for a singular deity—many cults within each sect had a primary deity at the center of the religion, beneath which subordinate deities were also worshipped. "Paganism" as a title was intended only to reference the non-Christians (and the non-Jews), isolating them into one solitary category that could be more easily destroyed and replaced.
‘The Triumph of Civilization’ by Jacques Reattu ( Wikimedia). Many ancient religions were polytheistic and believed in a pantheon of gods.
This effort of combining all non-Christian religions under one umbrella was, in fact, a clever strategy by the early Christians to remove the "pagan" faiths altogether. Using the Norse traditions as an example, the Vikings of the early medieval period had no true name for their religious following. In truth, the word religion would have been an unknown, foreign term to them. The Nordic tribes preferred the word "customs" as—like the Greeks and Romans—their rituals, beliefs, and traditions were undefined and fluidly interpreted, orally passed down rather than rigidly studied. There was no all-encompassing word for the belief in the Aesir and Vanir, and the various other beings and deities the ancient Norse worshipped, and there was no written text discussing their practices until the Christian author Snorri Sturluson wrote their mythology down in the 13 th century.
Detail of Runestone 181, in Stockholm. Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr are represented as three men. Credit: Berig, Wikipedia
According to Gareth Williams in Viking: Life and Legend , what is now considered the Norse religion is actually the "legacy of the Christian missionaries", their textual product a "concentrated target" that is much easier to remove and erase than the amalgamation of gods liberally worshipped. Consolidating the various Norse—and every other "pagan"—tradition into a simplified faith with recorded rules and codes provided the early Christians with a more straightforward target to remove and replace.
Though the phrase "paganism" is widely used to describe followers of the various ancient religions, it is important to understand from where the term originates and the misconceptions behind its usage. Too many centuries have passed now—the word "paganism" will continue to label these supporters despite its original meaning. But it is never too late to be informed of the origins of the term, thereby allowing a better comprehension of the history of the ancient followers.
Featured image: Cernunnos,"The Horned One", ancient god of nature and fertility. ( Source)
By Riley Winters
The Mesopotamians worshipped a diverse pantheon of gods, each associated with specific cities or regions. The gods were believed to control natural phenomena and human affairs, and rituals and sacrifices were performed to appease them. The epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest surviving works of literature, provides insights into Mesopotamian religious beliefs, including ideas about death and the afterlife. In ancient Greece, religion was deeply intertwined with daily life and was a central part of Greek culture. The Greeks worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses, led by Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, and others. Temples were dedicated to these gods, and regular religious festivals and rituals were held throughout the year. Greek religion was also closely tied to mythology, with stories of gods and heroes serving as moral lessons and explanations for natural phenomena. The Romans, heavily influenced by Greek culture and religion, adopted a similar pantheon of gods but gave them different names. Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Mars, and Venus were among the major Roman deities. The Romans believed strongly in the concept of piety and the importance of maintaining good relations with the gods. Temples were built for worship, and sacrifices, offerings, and prayers were made to ensure divine favor and protection. The ancient world's religions were not limited to just these civilizations. There were many other ancient religions, such as those in Persia, India, and East Asia, each with its own unique beliefs and practices. These religions shaped the cultural, social, and political life of the ancient world, serving as a foundation for the development of later religious traditions, including Christianity..
Reviews for "Exploring the Role of Women in Ancient Pagan Religious Rituals"
1. John - 1 star
I found "The Pagan World: Ancient Religions Before Christianity" to be a highly disappointing read. The book lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. The author seemed more focused on presenting their own biased opinions rather than providing an objective analysis of the subject matter. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of ancient religions before Christianity.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Pagan World: Ancient Religions Before Christianity" fell short of my expectations. While the book did cover some interesting aspects of ancient religions, it lacked coherence and structure. The chapters seemed disjointed, and the information presented was often repetitive. Moreover, the author's writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it challenging to retain any meaningful knowledge from the book. I was hoping for a more engaging and well-researched exploration of the topic, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.
3. Robert - 1 star
I regret purchasing "The Pagan World: Ancient Religions Before Christianity." The information provided in the book was presented in a confusing and disorganized manner. The author failed to clearly explain key concepts and often jumped from one topic to another without proper transitions. Furthermore, the book seemed to be biased against pagan religions, which made it difficult to trust the accuracy of the information presented. Overall, I believe there are better resources available for those interested in learning about ancient religions, and I would advise others to look elsewhere for a more reliable and well-written book on the subject.