Publisher's Synopsis
A. B. Cook (1868-1952) published the first volume of his monumental Zeus: A Study in Ancient Religion in 1914. This comprehensive work traces the genesis, development and growth of the cult of Zeus from Hellenic worship of the 'bright sky' to the personified and anthropomorphised Zeus, the god of the sky. It focuses on the development of mountain-cults, religious syncretism with solar cults, and the importance of the sun, moon and stars to the worship of Zeus. Cook skilfully integrates both archaeological and ancient literary evidence as well as offering a synthesis of scholarly knowledge. This sumptuous work is a treasure-trove of primary texts, epigraphic material and archaeological data. It contains over 600 illustrations and the most important literary sources, both Greek and Latin, are quoted in full. It is an indispensable tool for students of classics, mythology and ancient religion.
