'Its success lies in putting together a series of extremely interesting essays which represent the best introduction to their topic currently available.' - Antiquity'Offers a variety of approaches, provokes questions, and inspires ideas. The association of archeological and literary data is salutary, and proves to be rewarding for the study of the mystery cults treated here.' - BMCR

• List of illustrations, List of contributors, Preface, Note on abbreviations and transliteration, 1 Mycenaean religion at Eleusis: the architecture and stratigraphy of Megaron, 2 Festival and Mysteries: aspects of the Eleusinian Cult, 3 Stages of initiation in the Eleusinian and Samothracian Mysteries, 4 “In the Sanctuary of the Samothracian Gods”: myth, politics, and mystery cult at Ilion, 5 Evolutions of a mystery cult: the Theban Kabiroi, 6 Mystery cults in Arcadia, 7 Trophonius of Lebadea: mystery aspects of an oracular cult in Boeotia, 8 Landscapes of Dionysos and Elysian Fields, 9 Orphic Mysteries and Dionysiac ritual, 10 Lesser Mysteries – not less mysterious, 11 Concluding remarks, Index

'Its success lies in putting together a series of extremely interesting essays which represent the best introduction to their topic currently available.' - Antiquity'Offers a variety of approaches, provokes questions, and inspires ideas. The association of archeological and literary data is salutary, and proves to be rewarding for the study of the mystery cults treated here.' - BMCR

• List of illustrations, List of contributors, Preface, Note on abbreviations and transliteration, 1 Mycenaean religion at Eleusis: the architecture and stratigraphy of Megaron, 2 Festival and Mysteries: aspects of the Eleusinian Cult, 3 Stages of initiation in the Eleusinian and Samothracian Mysteries, 4 “In the Sanctuary of the Samothracian Gods”: myth, politics, and mystery cult at Ilion, 5 Evolutions of a mystery cult: the Theban Kabiroi, 6 Mystery cults in Arcadia, 7 Trophonius of Lebadea: mystery aspects of an oracular cult in Boeotia, 8 Landscapes of Dionysos and Elysian Fields, 9 Orphic Mysteries and Dionysiac ritual, 10 Lesser Mysteries – not less mysterious, 11 Concluding remarks, Index

'Its success lies in putting together a series of extremely interesting essays which represent the best introduction to their topic currently available.' - Antiquity'Offers a variety of approaches, provokes questions, and inspires ideas. The association of archeological and literary data is salutary, and proves to be rewarding for the study of the mystery cults treated here.' - BMCR

• List of illustrations, List of contributors, Preface, Note on abbreviations and transliteration, 1 Mycenaean religion at Eleusis: the architecture and stratigraphy of Megaron, 2 Festival and Mysteries: aspects of the Eleusinian Cult, 3 Stages of initiation in the Eleusinian and Samothracian Mysteries, 4 “In the Sanctuary of the Samothracian Gods”: myth, politics, and mystery cult at Ilion, 5 Evolutions of a mystery cult: the Theban Kabiroi, 6 Mystery cults in Arcadia, 7 Trophonius of Lebadea: mystery aspects of an oracular cult in Boeotia, 8 Landscapes of Dionysos and Elysian Fields, 9 Orphic Mysteries and Dionysiac ritual, 10 Lesser Mysteries – not less mysterious, 11 Concluding remarks, Index