New Perspectives on Ancient Greek REligion
Collaborative Working Group
The New Perspectives on Ancient Greek Religion (NPAGR) Collaborative Working Group is dedicated to a focused, theoretically driven, innovative and collaborative exploration of ancient Greek religion, spanning the Mycenaean to Hellenistic periods. This will enrich the understanding of the multifaced dimensions of ancient Greek religious practices and their significance within the broader context of Greek society. The primary focus lies in the application of innovative theoretical models from diverse fields to the study of ancient religion, including cognitive science, sensory studies, and material studies. The group will seek to move away from current approaches, such as polis-religion theory, advanced by Christine Sourvinou-Inwood, which have been useful in the evolution of the discipline, but which have reached the end of their useful lives and have often been conducted through a Christianised or overly Westernised lens. This is a collective shift already highlighted by scholars such as Esther Eidinow, Julia Kindt, Katherine Rask, and Jan Bremmer. NPAGR will address this departure collectively and innovatively, fostering an environment where new perspectives on ancient Greek religion can be tested and shared in an open and cooperative way. Thus, the primary goal of the group is to create a dynamic forum for scholars at all career stages to explore ancient Greek religion using innovative theoretical approaches and a collective engagement with the archaeological, artefactual, and literary evidence in new and innovative ways.
By integrating innovative theoretical models from Cognitive Science of Religion, Material Study of Religion, Sensory Archaeology and others, this group will reconsider established evidence while pushing the boundaries of polis-centric perspectives and literary-dominant studies and moving beyond previous seminal work (in alphabetical order) by Walter Burket, Marcel Detienne, Jon Mikalson, Martin P Nilsson, Robert Parker, Christiane Sourvinou-Inwood, Jean-Pierre Vernant, Henk Versnel and many others. The focal point of the group will centre on the re-evaluation of ancient Greek religious practices and festivals, providing insights into the interplay between material culture, individual experiences, and broader societal dynamics.
By integrating innovative theoretical models from Cognitive Science of Religion, Material Study of Religion, Sensory Archaeology and others, this group will reconsider established evidence while pushing the boundaries of polis-centric perspectives and literary-dominant studies and moving beyond previous seminal work (in alphabetical order) by Walter Burket, Marcel Detienne, Jon Mikalson, Martin P Nilsson, Robert Parker, Christiane Sourvinou-Inwood, Jean-Pierre Vernant, Henk Versnel and many others. The focal point of the group will centre on the re-evaluation of ancient Greek religious practices and festivals, providing insights into the interplay between material culture, individual experiences, and broader societal dynamics.
Key Areas of Study
While members will be open to addressing any area of ancient religion, the group will be particularly interested in addressing:
The diverse array of religious practices and festivals that flourished in ancient Greece serve as the thematic core of the discussions. The working group will address three key aims:
- Ritual Practice: exploring rituals and ritual practices, considering their significance for both individuals and communities and ways ritual practices work within ‘embedded’ religion (where religious practices are inextricable from social, economic, and political aspects of the polis).
- Divinity and Belief: Investigating the diverse deities worshipped in ancient Greece and the evolving belief and faith systems associated with them.
- Personal and Civic Religion: Analysing the interplay between personal religious experience and communal or civic religious practice within ancient Greek society.
The diverse array of religious practices and festivals that flourished in ancient Greece serve as the thematic core of the discussions. The working group will address three key aims:
- Archaeological Insights into Religious Landscape: Through close analysis of archaeological remains, the panellists will unveil how the material culture of ancient Greece was both shaped by and reflective of the belief systems and religious practices of society. This will result in a comprehensive reconstruction of the religious landscape, offering deeper insights into its intricate ties with the wider social fabric.
- Sensory and Material Dimensions: By incorporating sensory perceptions, embodied experiences, and the materiality of religious practices into the interpretation of literary sources, a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of ancient Greek religion will be achieved.
- Interplay of Personal Beliefs and Polis Religion: The panellists will illuminate the dynamic relationship between individual religious experiences and the overarching socio-political structure of ancient Greece. This exploration will provide fresh insights into how personal convictions contributed to the rich tapestry of the society’s religious landscape.
objectives
- Building a Scholarly Network: We intend to unite scholars specialising in various facets of ancient Greek religion, incorporating diverse theoretical approaches such as Cognitive Science of Religion and Material Study of Religion.
- Re-evaluating Ancient Greek Religion: By re-examining established evidence, our group aims to shed new light on religious practices, rituals, and beliefs. We will leverage material culture and contemporary theoretical models to achieve this goal.
- Fostering Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue: Our working group will facilitate collaborative discussions that bridge academic boundaries, encouraging cross-disciplinary perspectives and a holistic understanding of Greek religion.
activities
To achieve our objectives, the working group will engage in the following activities:
When these three aspects of the group are combined, participants will be supported and encouraged to share and collaborate on every stage of research and dissemination, from the inception of ideas to their completion
- Listserv: A private email list for members for discussion, questions, and collaboration (you can request to join the list here – please also send a message though the contact box below using the same email address)
- Labs and Sandboxes: plans include organising labs and sandboxes to offer participants an open place to explore, develop and test their ideas and engage in scholarly discourse, contributing to the advancement of the field and sharing new approaches and frameworks; the aim is to offer spaces to explore through collaboration.
- Annual Meeting: Inspired by the Ancient Historians Meeting format, an annual residential gathering will provide an immersive environment for in-depth discussions, collaborative workshops, and networking opportunities.
- Seminar Series: We will initiate a recurring seminar series hosted initially by the University of Bristol in an online format. This series will provide scholars a platform to present ongoing research, exchange ideas, and delve into evolving projects.
When these three aspects of the group are combined, participants will be supported and encouraged to share and collaborate on every stage of research and dissemination, from the inception of ideas to their completion
Involvement
Diversity within the group is foundational to our pursuit of ‘new perspectives’. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, career stages, and identities, we amplify the richness of our discussions. Varied viewpoints challenge traditional norms, encouraging innovative thinking and comprehensive analyses.
Our commitment to diversity is more than an ethos; it is a strategic choice. It aligns with our goal of seeking ‘new perspectives’ by creating an environment where creativity flourishes. By fostering inclusivity, we ensure our research resonates with the complexity of the world and facilitates the long-term health of the wider discipline of Classics.
Our commitment to diversity is more than an ethos; it is a strategic choice. It aligns with our goal of seeking ‘new perspectives’ by creating an environment where creativity flourishes. By fostering inclusivity, we ensure our research resonates with the complexity of the world and facilitates the long-term health of the wider discipline of Classics.
impact
The group will seek to explore and expand approaches to the study of Ancient Greek religion by:
NPAGR’s overarching objective is the creation of a sustainable, long-term venue for scholars to collaboratively investigate ancient Greek religion by integrating cutting-edge methodologies and perspectives, ultimately shedding new light on the complex interplay between material culture, individual beliefs, and societal frameworks.
- Expand the Evidentiary Base: Encouraging comprehensive exploration of evidence, including material culture and non-literary sources, for a holistic understanding of religious practices and beliefs.
- Challenging Interpretations: The working group will stimulate nuanced insights into the intricate dynamics of ancient Greek religion by critically re-evaluating existing studies and interpretations.
- Presenting New Perspectives: Integrating innovative theoretical models will shed new light on the interplay between material culture, personal convictions, and societal frameworks in ancient Greek religion.
NPAGR’s overarching objective is the creation of a sustainable, long-term venue for scholars to collaboratively investigate ancient Greek religion by integrating cutting-edge methodologies and perspectives, ultimately shedding new light on the complex interplay between material culture, individual beliefs, and societal frameworks.
