Isiac cults in contexts; Egyptian cults

This course looks at the long history of the “Egyptian” cults (cults of Isis, Osiris, Anubis, Sarapis, and Harpocrates) mainly outside of Egypt and in periods much later than the Pharaonic heyday of Ancient Egypt, that is, the Hellenistic and the Roman empire. By looking at and closely reading primary documents in translation, visual evidence, and archaeological remains, we aim to explore critical issues in the study of ancient polytheism, such as sacred space, the role of priests, religious sociology problems, forms of religious, ritual dynamics, construction of emotions religious and the sense of self and community. An issue of particular interest is the relationship between religious ethos and economic life and the relationship with various forms of power. Questions of gender will be central to the problematique. In addition to the seminar, there will be frequent visits to the Met, individually or as a group.