This exploration of cultural resilience examines the complex fate of classical Egyptian religion during the centuries from the period when Christianity first made its appearance in Egypt to when it became the region's dominant religion (roughly 100 to 600 C.E. Taking into account the full range of witnesses to continuing native piety--from papyri and saints' lives to archaeology and terracotta figurines--and drawing on anthropological studies of folk religion; David Frankfurter argues that the religion of Pharonic Egypt did not die out as early as has been supposed but was instead relegated from political centers to village and home; where it continued a vigorous existence for centuries. In analyzing the fate of the Egyptian oracle and of the priesthoods; the function of magical texts; and the dynamics of domestic cults; Frankfurter describes how an ancient culture maintained itself while also being transformed through influences such as Hellenism; Roman government; and Christian dominance. Recognizing the special characteristics of Egypt; which differentiated it from the other Mediterranean cultures that were undergoing simultaneous social and political changes; he departs from the traditional "decline of paganism/triumph of Christianity" model most often used to describe the Roman period. By revealing late Egyptian religion in its Egyptian historical context; he moves us away from scenarios of Christian triumph and shows us how long and how energetically pagan worship survived.
#194933 in Books Amy Knight 1995-12-11 1995-12-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .86 x 6.00l; 1.04 #File Name: 0691010935338 pagesBeria Stalin s First Lieutenant
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An amazing read; who needs fiction!By SGWagenLots of meaningful insight into Stalin's brutal regime and the insanity of the purges. Knight delves into Beria's fascinating and limitless ambition that combined true power with amoral genius to breaks down; almost by the numbers; all that is good in us; exposing the human condition at its worst over and over and over again until you are sure the bureaucracy destroys everything in its endless quest to grow.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Evil has no end of enablers.... ...By RazzM80Evil has no end of enablers.... Rule by absolute fear and you never stop looking over your shoulder. A friend one day may be a non person the next with all documentary evidence of his existence expunged .... Now that's "power." Shudder ...0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent study of Beria and his contemporaries!By ASLAmy Knight apparently studied the subject very seriously; she demonstrates deep understanding of the society where she never lived. Having grown up in the USSR; I highly recommend this book (and any other books by Amy Knight) to anyone who wants to learn history of communism and the great damage it inflicted on millions of people.
