A history of Pagan Europe

Prudence Jones

Psychology Press, 1995 - History - 262 pages

The European Pagan heritage is one which historians generally overlook. In A History of Pagan Europe, Prudence Jones and Nigel Pennick recount the fascinating story of Europeam Paganism, and contend that the Pagan worldview has continuity over time and space and retains its influence on European life today. This book not only provides the first comprehensive definition of paganism, but is also the first to shed light on well-documented events which are usually glossed over or ignored from a covert Christian perspective.

From the massive civilizations of Greece and Rome to the barely-documented tribal systems of the Picts, the Finns and others on the northern margins of the continent, European Paganism is marked by Polytheism, a veneration of nature, and recognition of female divinity. The ancient religions are often not well known, and the evidence for their continuation is often misunderstood or misrepresented as "accident" or "superstition." It is evidence for such continuity which this book investigates.

Recording this vital, yet half-hidden European tradition, A History of PaganEuropeprovides journalists, theologians, social policy-makers and the general reader with an informed background to the resurgence of self-styled Pagan groups in the present day.

What people are saying

Review: A History Pagan of Europe

User Review  - Moon Stumpp - Goodreads

I read it...enjoyed it...I'm cleaning up my shelves.

Review: A History Of Pagan Europe

User Review  - Sarah - Goodreads

A complex and comprehensive look at European paganism, however it is a bit dry in parts.

Contents

• PAGANISM OLD AND NEW: 1
• THE GREEKS AND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN: 5
• ROME AND THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN: 25
• THE ROMAN EMPIRE: 53
• THE CELTIC WORLD: 79
• THE LATER CELTS: 96
• THE GERMANIC PEOPLES: 111
• LATE GERMANIC RELIGION: 138
• THE BALTIC LANDS: 165
• RUSSIA AND THE BALKANS: 184
• PAGANISM REAFFIRMED: 196
• Notrs: 221
• Bibliography: 232

About the author

Prudence Jones is a former president of the Pagan Federation and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is the co-editor of Voices from the Circle: the Heritage of Western Paganism (1990) and the author of Creative Astrology (2000). Nigel Pennick is a writer, illustrator and lecturer on ancient and modern mysteries. His publications include The Pagan Source Book (1992) and Sacred Geometry (1994)

Bibliographic information

• Title: A history of Pagan Europe
• Author: Prudence Jones
• Editor: Nigel Pennick
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Psychology Press, 1995
• ISBN: 0415091365, 9780415091367
• Length: 262 pages
• Subjects: History / Europe / General; History / General; Religion / History