CONTENTS

PAGE
[Prefatory Note]vii
ChapterI.—[THEAPPROACH]1
ChapterII.—[THECENTRAL MYTH]24
§ 1.[The Ground of Conflict]24
§ 2.[The Sacrificial Rite]31
§ 3.[Contingent Elements]39
§ 4.[The Mock-King Ritual]50
§ 5.[Doctrinal Additions]53
§ 6.[Minor Ritual and Myth Elements]57
§ 7.[The Cross]61
§ 8.[The Suffering Messiah]64
§ 9.[The Rock Tomb]67
§ 10.[The Resurrection]70
ChapterIII.—[ROOTS OFTHE MYTH]72
§ 1.[Historical Data]72
§ 2.[Prototypes]91
§ 3.[The Mystery-Drama]96
ChapterIV.—[EVOLUTIONOF THE CULT]107
§ 1.[The Primary Impulsion]107
§ 2.[The Silence of Josephus]121
§ 3.[The Myth of the Twelve Apostles]126
§ 4.[The Process of Propaganda]135
§ 5.[Real Determinants]148
ChapterV.—[ORGANIZATION AND ECONOMICS]157
§ 1.[The Economic Side]157
§ 2.[Organization]162
ChapterVI.—[EARLYBOOK-MAKING] 170
§ 1.[The “Didachê”]170
§ 2.[The Apocalypse]173
§ 3.[Epistles]176
ChapterVII.—[GOSPEL-MAKING]182
§ 1.[Tradition]182
§ 2.[Schmiedel’s Tests]188
§ 3.[Tendential Tests]192
§ 4.[Historic Summary]202
ChapterVIII.—[SUPPLEMENTARY MYTH]207
§ 1.[Myths of Healing]207
§ 2.[Birth Myths]209
§ 3.[Minor Myths]217
ChapterIX.—[CONCLUSION]223
AppendixA.—[TRANSLATION OF “THE TEACHING OF THE TWELVEAPOSTLES,” WITH NOTES]235
AppendixB.—[THE MYTHOF SIMON MAGUS]248
[Index]261

PREFATORY NOTE

Most of the propositions in mythology and anthropology in this book are founded on bodies of evidence given in the larger works of the author. It seemed fitting, therefore, to refer to those works instead of repeating hundreds of references there given. Readers concerned to investigate the issues are thus invited and enabled to do so. For brevity’s sake, Christianity and Mythology is cited as C.M.; Pagan Christs as P.C.; and the Short Histories of Christianity and Freethought as S.H.C. and S.H.F. respectively. In the first three cases the references are to the second editions; in the last case, to the third. The Evolution of States is cited as E.S. Another work often referred to is Sir J. G. Frazer’s great thesaurus, The Golden Bough, which is cited as G.B., the references being to the last edition. Other new references are given in the usual way. The Ecce Deus of Professor W. B. Smith is cited in the English edition.

Passages in brackets, in unleaded type, may be passed at a first perusal by readers concerned mainly to follow the constructive theory. Such passages deal controversially with counter-polemic.