The Idea of Afterlife in Ancient Religion and Philosophy

This book explores the concept of the afterlife across a vast spectrum of ancient and modern belief systems, tracing the evolution of human thought on death, resurrection, and the fate of the soul. Beginning with the earliest known religious traditions, the book delves into the afterlife beliefs of ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, examining how these cultures understood death and what they believed awaited the soul in the afterlife. It examines the development of eschatological thought in ancient religions like Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, each offering distinct perspectives on the soul's journey after death.

The work also covers the afterlife in early Christianity, analyzing how Christian theology shaped and was shaped by ancient Jewish ideas, Greek philosophy, and mystery religions. The evolution of Christian eschatology, including the development of heaven, hell, purgatory, and the concept of divine judgment, is discussed in depth, with particular attention to influential figures like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.