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The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook: Sacred Texts of the Mystery Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean World . Edited by Marvin W. Meyer. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1987. xii + 267 pp. $24.95 cloth; $14.95 paper.

Both scholars and students of classical antiquity will find in this book a convenient collection of primary source texts relating to the Graeco-Roman mystery religions. More than forty important sources are included, ranging from the Homeric Hymns to the writings of the Christian fathers. The author concedes that "limitations of space have necessitated the exclusion of some texts on the mysteries that I would have preferred to include, e.g., portions of Ovid's Fasti, Julian's Orations, Iamblichus's On the Mysteries (De mysteriis), and Sallustius's Concerning the Gods and the Universe (De deis et mundo), as well as shorter texts, inscriptions, and more fragmentary textual remains bearing witness to such mysteries as those at Phlya, and those of Sabazios and Sarapis" (p. xi). But the value of this anthology is not lessened. Indeed, The Ancient Mysteries represents the first comprehensive sourcebook available in English on this topic. The mystery religions surveyed include those of Demeter and Kore (chap. 2); Andania, an ancient town in Messenia (chap. 3); Dionysos (chap. 4); Kybele and Attis, and the so-called Syrian Goddess (chap. 5); Isis and Osiris (chap. 6); and Mithras (chap. 7). The texts furnished in the final chapter (chap. 8) illustrate the "parallelism" found in Judaism, Christianity, and the mystery religions. Mention also should be made of the author's brief but informative introduction, where Meyer offers his insights on the decline of traditional Olympian religion, defines and provides a general description of the mystery religions themselves, discusses the nature and extent of our knowledge concerning their secret ceremonies, and examines the ritual experiences of the ancient participants. A glossary, identifying key terms, names and epithets, and locations found in the texts, completes the volume. Each chapter is introduced by a short commentary on the features of and major sources for the religion in question followed by a bibliographic essay. In similar fashion, each translated text is prefaced by appropriate remarks and a bibliography. Most of the translations have been selected by Meyer from existing published works; others are the product of the author himself. As a group they are readable and reliable. In summary, The Ancient Mysteries is a much-needed book which can be used profitably for private study or classroom instruction.