TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Introduction.—The Significance of Franz Cumont's Work, By Grant Showerman ... [v]
Preface ... [xv]
Preface to the Second Edition ... [xxv]
I. Rome and the Orient ... [1]
Superiority of the Orient, [1].—Its Influence on Political Institutions, [3].—Its Influence on Civil Law, [5].—Its Influence on Science, [6].—Its Influence on Literature and Art, [7].—Its Influence on Industry, [9].—Sources: Destruction of Pagan Rituals, [11].—Mythographers, [12].—Historians, [13].—Satirists, [13].—Philosophers, [14].—Christian Polemicists, [15].—Archeological Documents, [16].
II. Why the Oriental Religions Spread ... [20]
Difference in the Religions of the Orient and the Occident, [20].—Spread of Oriental Religions, [22].—Economic Influences, [23].—Theory of Degeneration, [25].—Conversions are of Individuals, [27].—Appeal of the Oriental Religions to the Senses, [28].—Appeal to the Intelligence, [31].—Appeal to the Conscience, [35].—Inadequacy of the Roman Religion, [35].—Skepticism, [37].—Imperial Power, [38].—The Purification of Souls, [39].—Hope of Immortality, [42].—Conclusion, [43].
III. Asia Minor ... [46]
Arrival of Cybele at Rome, [46].—Her Religion in Asia Minor, [47].—Religion at Rome under the Republic, [51].—Adoption of the Goddess Ma-Bellona, [53].—Politics of Claudius, [55].—Spring Festival, [56].—Spread of the Phrygian Religion in the Provinces, [57].—Causes of Its Success, [58].—Its Official Recognition, [60].—Arrival of Other Cults: Mèn, [61].—Judaism, [63].—Sabazius, [64].—Anahita, [65].—The Taurobolium, [66].—Philosophy, [70].—Christianity, [70].—Conclusion, [71].
IV. Egypt ... [73]
Foundation of Serapis Worship, [73].—The Egyptian Religion Hellenized, [75].—Diffusion in Greece, [79].—Adoption at Rome, [80].—Persecutions, [82].—Adoption Under Caligula, [84].—Its History, [85].—Its Transformation, [86].—Uncertainty in Egyptian Theology, [87].—Insufficiency of Its Ethics, [90].—Power of Its Ritual, [93].—Daily Liturgy, [95].—Festivals, [97].—Doctrine of Immortality, [99].—The Refrigerium, [101].
V. Syria ... [103]
The Syrian Goddess, [103].—Importation of New Gods by Syrian Slaves, [105].—Syrian Merchants, [107].—Syrian Soldiers, [112].—Heliogabalus and Aurelian, [114].—Value of Semitic Paganism, [115].—Animal Worship, [116].—Baals, [118].—Human Sacrifice, [119].—Transformation of the Sacerdotal Religion, [120].—Purity, [121].—Influence of Babylon, [122].—Eschatology, [125].—Theology: God is Supreme, [127].—God is Omnipotent, [129].—God is Eternal and Universal, [130].—Semitic Syncretism, [131].—Solar Henotheism, [133].
VI. Persia ... [135]
Persia and Europe, [135].—Influence of the Achemenides, [136].—Influence of Mazdaism, [138].—Conquests of Rome, [139].—Influence of the Sassanides, [140].—Origin of the Mysteries of Mithra, [142].—Persians in Asia Minor, [144].—The Mazdaism of Anatolia, [146].—Its Diffusion in the Occident, [149].—Its Qualities, [150].—Dualism, [151].—The Ethics of Mithraism, [155].—The Future Life, [158].—Conclusion, [159].
VII. Astrology and Magic ... [162]
Prestige of Astrology, [162].—Its Introduction in the Occident, [163].—Astrology Under the Empire, [164].—Polemics Powerless Against Astrology, [166].—Astrology a Scientific Religion, [169].—The Primitive Idea of Sympathy, [171].—Divinity of the Stars, [172].—Transformation of the Idea of God, [174].—New Gods, [175].—Big Years, [176].—Astrological Eschatology, [177].—Man's Relation to Heaven, [178].—Fatalism, [179].—Efficacy of Prayer, [180].—Efficacy of Magic, [182].—Treatises on Magic, [182].—Idea of Sympathy, [183].—Magic a Science, [184].—Magic is Religious, [185].—Ancient Italian Sorcery, [186].—Egypt and Chaldea, [187].—Theurgy, [188].—Persian Magic, [189].—Persecutions, [191].—Conclusion, [193].
VIII. The Transformation of Roman Paganism ... [196]
Paganism Before Constantine, [196].—Religion of Asia Minor, [197].—Religion of Egypt and Syria, [198].—Religion of Persia, [199].—Many Pagan Religions, [200].—Popular Religion and Philosophy, [201].—Christian Polemics, [202].—Roman Paganism Become Oriental, [204].—Mysteries, [205].—Nature Worship, [206].—Supreme God, [207].—Sidereal Worship, [208].—The Ritual Given a Moral Significance, [209].—The End of the World, [209].—Conclusion, [210].
Notes ... [213]
Preface, [213].—I. Rome and the Orient, [214],—II. Why the Oriental Religions Spread, [218].—III. Asia Minor, [223].—IV. Egypt, [228].—V. Syria, [241].—VI. Persia, [260].—VII. Astrology and Magic, [270].—VIII. The Transformation of Paganism, [281].
Index ... [289]