| Author |
Frazer, James George, 1854-1941 |
| Title |
The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion
|
| Note |
1922 Abridged edition
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 58.2 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Credits |
This etext was produced by David Reed
|
| Summary |
"The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion" by Sir James George Frazer is an anthropological study written in the late 19th century. The text explores the intricate relationships between magic, religion, and the customs of ancient peoples, particularly focusing on the rituals and beliefs surrounding the priesthood of Diana at Aricia in Italy. Frazer aims to understand how these practices contributed to the structure of ancient societies, thereby revealing broader patterns within human culture and thought. The opening of the work serves to introduce Frazer's central aim: to elucidate the peculiar customs regarding the succession to the priesthood of Diana, known as the King of the Wood. He describes the violent ritual whereby the current priest must be slain by his successor, highlighting the barbaric and almost primal nature of the practice. This exploration is framed within a wider context of magical practices and beliefs, suggesting that such customs are not only historical anomalies but representative of universal themes in human society. Frazer further contextualizes this narrative within legendary accounts, notably those of Orestes and Hippolytus, setting the stage for his examination of the fundamental principles underlying magic and religion. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
BL: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Religion: General, Miscellaneous and Atheism
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| Subject |
Religion
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| Subject |
Magic
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| Subject |
Superstition
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| Subject |
Mythology
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
3623 |
| Release Date |
Jan 1, 2003 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 8, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
1616 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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