Religion in Antiquity: Myths, Mysteries and Magic

The goal of the course is to give students an overview of religion in antiquity with an in-depth study of one given religious studies topic related to antiquity. It introduces key concepts, historical developments, and cultural contexts of religions in the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. The course emphasizes both historical and textual perspectives, including ritual practices, sacred texts, and their interpretation in scholarly discourse.

Autumn 2026
Religion in Antiquity: Myths, Mysteries, and Magic provides an introduction to Greek and Roman religion, with particular emphasis on the mythic, ritual, and esoteric dimensions of the cult of Dionysus in Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, and Hellenistic Egypt.

The course combines the study of myths as forms of religious knowledge with analyses of mystery cults, initiation practices, and experiences of ecstasy, salvation, and transformation. Through literary, epigraphic, and archaeological sources, it examines how Dionysus emerges as a transgressive deity associated with wine, ecstasy, theatre, and cosmology, and how his cult develops and is reshaped in interaction with Roman politics and Egyptian religious thought (including connections to the traditions of Isis and Osiris).

The course also addresses the relationship between religion and magic, with particular focus on ritual expertise, Orphic and Dionysian texts and practices, and questions of secrecy, initiation, and salvation. The subject provides both a broad understanding of the history of religions and specialized insight into mystery religions and their cultural contexts.

Upon completion of the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge:

• has knowledge of major religious traditions and practices in antiquity and their historical and cultural contexts.

• has knowledge of key concepts, texts, and practices within selected traditions.

• has knowledge of scholarly approaches to the study of ancient religions.

Skills:

• is able to analyze religious texts and practices within their historical and cultural frameworks.

• is able to critically evaluate theories and interpretations in the study of ancient religions.

• is able to present their knowledge in written form.

General Competence:

• has experience in managing large amounts of information and literature within a short time frame, and in interpreting and presenting information effectively.