The Religion of Greece in Prehistoric Times

The Religion of Greece in Prehistoric Times, by Axel W. Persson, investigates the forms and continuities of Minoan and Mycenaean religious life and their survival in later Greek myth. Based on archaeological discoveries such as signet rings, seals, and cultic artifacts, Persson reconstructs rituals centered on the vegetation cycle—seasonal observances of sowing, harvest, death, and rebirth—and situates them within the broader context of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern religions. Sacrifices, offerings, and festivals emerge as central to understanding how early Greeks conceived renewal, continuity, and divine power, while comparative analysis highlights parallels with Egypt, Babylonia, Syria, and Asia Minor.

Persson also traces how prehistoric cults and symbols persisted into the classical period, shaping myths of gods and heroes such as Demeter, Dionysus, and Persephone. By setting Minoan-Mycenaean belief alongside the Olympian pantheon, he demonstrates both transformation and enduring influence. The study extends outward to suggest affinities with Nordic Bronze Age religion, underscoring the deep interconnections of ancient civilizations. Originally delivered as part of the distinguished Sather Classical Lectures at the University of California, Berkeley, this volume combines archaeology, comparative religion, and cultural history in a sweeping synthesis. The Religion of Greece in Prehistoric Times remains a seminal work for understanding how the ritual and mythic foundations of preclassical Greece helped shape one of the world’s most influential religious traditions.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1942.