Includes bibliographical references (p. 561-576) and indexes.

Preliminary Material / H. Versnel -- Introduction / H. Versnel -- Chapter One. Many Gods Complications Of Polytheism / H. Versnel -- Chapter Two. The Gods Divine Justice Or Divine Arbitrariness? / H. Versnel -- Chapter Three. One God Three Greek Experiments In Oneness / H. Versnel -- Chapter Four. A God Why Is Hermes Hungry? / H. Versnel -- Chapter Five. God The Question Of Divine Omnipotence / H. Versnel -- Chapter Six. Playing (The) God Did (The) Greeks Believe In The Divinity Of Their Rulers? / H. Versnel -- Epilogue / H. Versnel -- Appendix One. Grouping The Gods / H. Versnel -- Appendix Two. Unity Or Diversity—One God Or Many? A Modern Debate / H. Versnel -- Appendix Three. Drive Towards Coherence In Two Herodotus-Studies / H. Versnel -- Appendix Four. Did The Greeks Believe In Their Gods? / H. Versnel -- Bibliography / H. Versnel -- Index Of Passages Cited / H. Versnel -- Greek Words / H. Versnel -- General Index / H. Versnel.

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Inspired by a critical reconsideration of current monolithic approaches to the study of Greek religion, this book argues that ancient Greeks displayed a disquieting capacity to validate two (or more) dissonant, if not contradictory, representations of the divine world in a complementary rather than mutually exclusive manner. From this perspective the six chapters explore problems inherent in: order vs. variety/chaos in polytheism, arbitrariness vs. justice in theodicy, the peaceful co-existence of mono- and polytheistic theologies, human traits in divine imagery, divine omnipotence vs. limitation of power, and ruler cult. Based on an intimate knowledge of ancient realia and literary testimonia the book stands out for its extensive application of relevant perceptions drawn from cultural anthropology, theology, cognitive science, psychology, and linguistics.

English.