Publisher's Synopsis
"MacMullen's latest work represents many features of paganism in its social context more vividly and clearly than ever before."-Fergus Millar, American Historical Review
"The major cults…are examined from a social and cultural perspective and with the aid of many recently published specialized studies…Students of the Roman Empire…should read this book."-Robert J, Penella, Classical World
"A distinguished book with much exact observation…An indispensable mine of erudition on a grand theme." Henry Chadwick, Times Literary Supplement
Ramsay MacMullen is Dunham Professor of History and Classics at Yale University and the author of Roman Government's Response to Crisis, A.D. 235-337 and Roman Social Relations, 50 B.C. to A.D. 284