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This is the first of a two-volume collection of studies in inconsistencies in Greek and Roman religion. Their common aim is to argue for the historical relevance of various types of ambiguity and dissonance. The first volume focuses on the central paradoxes in ancient henotheism. The term 'henotheism' -- a modern formation after the stereotyped acclamation: #EIS O QEOS# ("one is the god"), common to early Christianity and contemporaneous paganism -- denotes the specific devotion to one particular god without denying the existence of, or even cultic attention to, other gods. After its prime in the twenties and thirties of this century the term fell into disuse. Nonetheless, the notion of henotheism represents one of the most remarkable and significant shifts in Graeco-Roman religion and hence deserves fresh reconsideration.
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INCONSISTENCIES IN GR EK AND ROMAN RELIGION I TER UNUS IS1S , DIONYSOS , HERMES THREE STUDIES IN HENOTHEISM BY H .S. VERSNEL E ,J. BRILL INCONSISTENCIES IN GREEK AND ROMAN RELIGION I TER UNUS 4-Cj(J'~CJ+ STUDIES IN GREEK AND ROMAN RELIGION 8~21 ~~ 3 INCONSISTENCIES IN GREEK AND ROMAN RELIGION I TER UNUS ISIS, DIONYSOS, HERMES EDITED BY H.S. VERSNEL IN CO-OPERATION WITH F.T. VAN STRATEN THREE STUDIES IN HENOTHEISM VOLUME 6 BY H.S. VERSNEL ) E.J. BRILL LEIDEN • NEW YORK • KCDBENHAVN • KÖLN 1990 ISSN 0169-9512 ISBN 90 04 09266 8 90 0409268 4 © Copyright 1990 by E.J. BrilI, Leiden, The Netherlands All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or translated in any form, by print, photoprint, microjilm, microjiche l or any other means without written permission ]rom the publisher PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS FOR ASTRID the first instalment CONTENTS PREFACE IX ABBREVIATIONS XI INTRODUCTION 1. INCONSISTENCY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 2. HENOTHEISM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Chapter"I.'ISIS, UNA QUAE ES OMNIA. TYRANTS AGAINST TYRANNY: ISIS AS A PARADIGM OF HELLENISTIC RULERSHIP 1. I AM I S I S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. "I HAVE DESTROYED THE MASTERY OF TYRANTS". THE PICTURE OF THE AWFUL TYRANT (I) . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 52 3. "ISIS I AM, THE TYRANT OF ALL LAND". THE PICTURE OF THE AWFUL TYRANT (11) .................................... 62 4. LIBERATION AND SUBJECTION. THE OBVERSE AND REVERSE OF A HELLENISTIC MEDAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hebt go eden moedt, vreest geen tyrannen, Hoe machtig dat sy zijn oJ sterck, lck salse doch als kaff uyt-wannen, . En doens' vergaen met al haer werck. Tot u sal ick met vreugd in-treden, Soo ghy lanckmoedelijck verwacht, En tot my'n dienst bereyd u leden, My lievende uyt aller kracht. 5. 72 SLAVERY IS FREEDOM. FROM UNHEEDED INCONSISTENCY TO CONSCIOUS AMBIGUITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter II. EIL 83 ~IONYLOL. THE TRAGIC PARADOX OF THE BACCHAE INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Dirk RaJaelsz. Camphuyzen 1. HAILING NEW GODS IN ATHENS 1. New gods and their reception ............................ 2. Athenian law against foreign gods: the charge of asebeia .. . . . . .. 102 102 123 VIII CONTENTS 2.