Themis: A Study of the Social Origins of Greek Religion

by Jane Ellen Harrison, Gilbert Murray (Contributor), Francis Macdonald Cornford (Contributor)

Drawing upon a range of disciplines including anthropology, classical studies, archaeology and psychology, Jane Ellen Harrison's seminal 1912 work Themis pieces together the origins of early Greek religion. Known as one of the founders of modern studies in Greek mythology, Harrison has been described by her biographer, Mary Beard, as 'Britain's first female professional 'career academic'. She is renowned as being one of the most intellectual women of her time, and the ideas espoused on Greek rituals and myths in Themis remain influential today. This revolutionary study traces Themis back through history, as a matriarchal tribal goddess. Addressing areas including magic, sacrifice and the origin of the Olympic games, Harrison applies archaeological discoveries to the interpretation of Greek religion. Including a detailed preface and explanatory notes, this revised second edition of 1927 is described by Harrison as 'addressed not so much to the specialist as to the thinker generally'.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Classics, History, Greece, Mythology, Classical Studies

559 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1963

About the author

Jane Ellen Harrison (9 September 1850 – 15 April 1928) was a British classical scholar and linguist. Harrison is one of the founders, with Karl Kerenyi and Walter Burkert, of modern studies in Ancient Greek religion and mythology. She applied 19th century archaeological discoveries to the interpretation of ancient Greek religion in ways that have become standard. She has also been credited with being the first woman to obtain a post in England as a ‘career academic’. Harrison argued for women's suffrage but thought she would never want to vote herself. Ellen Wordsworth Crofts, later second wife of Sir Francis Darwin, was Jane Harrison's best friend from her student days at Newnham, and during the period from 1898 to her death in 1903.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_El...

Reviews

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old friend suggested I read this a while back, given my interests in early Greek religion. It is certainly speculative, but my expertise lies outside this area, so I'm glad to come along for the ride. Why doesn't anyone write like this anymore? Is it all too "unscientific" I wonder?

[Kevin Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, all-encompassing book, Themis takes you on an opinionated yet dead-on accurate and wise journey through the 'underworld'/background of Greek religion. You will be entertained and instructed as the author, a kind and gentle yet prodding presence, escorts you though the many details of this almost perfect book. A unique and still relevant read, I recommend this for all who are inquisitive of the nature of Greek religion.

[Michael Guratza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually, the proper dialectic, intellectual and scientific process involves gathering evidence, delving into bibliography, analyzing the material and reaching conclusions - in that order.

However, an alternative approach is to start with the end result already decided in mind, and moving through the process with the end product predisposed.

Though not completely discredited, the second method is largely prone to bias and logical fallacies.

Speaking of logical fallacies and bias Numerology and glossology are two fields plagued by the same vice: if you dig hard enough, you can prove anything you want, since words and numbers can appear, apparently haphazard out of nowhere, fitting right into your pre-decided mould. The movie "the number 23" is a great example. Conspiracy theories are even better.

The writer of this book follows a highly unorthodox and unscientific approach with little to no care for insightful citation or even basic plausibility. Although the book is about a century old, peer reviewing and academia were already following standards by that point, and this style of writing is more reminiscent of free association, stream of consciousness or straight up fantasy, than anything remotely academic.

The basic premise is (to my understanding) that the Polynesian concept of "mana", the native American concept of "wakonda" and the Greek "Zeus" (and his predecessor - birds as divine messengers) are common manifestations of the divine, among civilizations divided by countless miles and immeasurable years, civilizations that under the furthest stretch of anyone's imagination had never even been aware of each other's existence. It should be noted that this premise is taken as is - a given axiom. Little to no support is given to justify it.

Despite providing some useful trivia, this is a hard read - an unnecessarily hard read, very difficult to follow due to the disorganized writing style. The writer jumps from theme to theme, makes big detours out of nowhere, and in general follows her own, relatively speculative logic, DIY structure and irrational axioms.

One of the most unscientific books I have ever read. Not recommended.

*This refers to a Greek version which apparently does not include the whole text. There is a chance that Mana and Wakonda are introduced in earlier parts of the full version, and there would be some justification on how (seriously, how?) the Native American tribes of 1500 ancient Greco-Romans and Polynesians could be connected. There is a chance that there might be sound reasoning behind that, but I would place my bet on it being a combination of glossology, speculation, fantasy and Olympic level mind gymnastics.

[Iqra Tasmiae]

Found an extract in "Of Woman Born" chapter 6 opening, pg 84.