Greek Votive Offerings An Essay in the History of Greek Religion

Originally published in 1902, this book provides an extensive survey of the tradition of votive offerings in ancient Greece. Rouse details the various motives behind offerings, including propitiation, tithes, and domestic purposes, drawing on the evidence of inscriptions and ancient eyewitnesses, and also examines ancient votive formulae. Thirteen indices containing an exhaustive list of epigraphical references to votive offerings at various shrines are also included. This well-written and richly-illustrated book will be of value to anyone with an interest in ancient Greek religion and the history of votive offerings.

Preface; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The dead, the heroes, and the Chthonian deities. Note on the modern representatives of ancient shrines; 2. Tithes, firstfruits, and kindred offerings; 3. War; 4. Games and contests; 5. Disease and calamity; 6. Domestic life; 7. Memorials of honour and office; 8. Memorials of feasts and ceremonials; 9. Propitiation; 10. Rarities and valuables; 11. Formulae; 12. Later uses of the votive formula; 13. Disposal of the offerings; 14. General sketch; Indices: 1. Athens: treasure of Athena and the other gods; 2. Athens: catalogue of Bronze statues; 3. Athens: Artemis Brauronia; 4. Athens: Asclepieum; 5. Eleusis; 6. Treasure at Delos; 7. Treasure at Delos; 8. Amphiaraum, Cabirium, and other Theban shrines; 9. Platea; 10. Temple of Hera at Samos; 11. Treasure of Apollo at Branchidae; 12. Fragment of list from Aegina; 13. Dedications in the anthology; General index: Greek; English.