Historical Paganism

Ancient History & Archaeology

THE CHALICE AND THE BLADE, 1987, Riane Eisler. How patriarchy took over through the acceleration of militarism. True female/male partnership as the direction for the future.

A CHRONICLE OF THE LAST PAGANS, 1990, Pierre Chuvin. A history of the triumph of Xianity in the Roman Empire as told from the perspective of the Pagans of the time.

THE CREATION OF PATRIARCHY, 1986, Gerda Lerner. A brilliant analysis of the earliest law codes that legislated the new patriarchy.

THE DISCOVERY OF KING ARTHUR, 1985, Geoffrey Ashe. The true history of Arthur, derived from recently discovered contemporary records. Good!

KING ARTHUR, 2004, Clive Owen, Keira Knightley. This movie draws off the historical and archaeological evidence of the historical Arthur, around whom the romantic legends we've all come to know and love are spun. The "real" Arthur (played by Clive Owen) was a 5th-century soldier of Rome, assigned to defend Roman-imperial England against a hoard of invading Saxons (led by Stellan Skarsgård in hairy villain mode). Guinevere (Keira Knightley) is a Celtic warrior babe in face-paint and Lancelot (Ioan Gruffudd) is a nonentity who fades into the woodwork. (DVD)

THE MYSTERY OF THE ORACLES, 1979: 1982, Philipp Vandenburg. World-famous archaeologists reveal the best-kept secrets of antiquity.

THE ROOTS OF CIVILIZATION, 1972, Alexander Marshack. The cognitive beginnings of our first art, symbol and notation.

THE SECRET OF CRETE, 1983, Hans Georg-Wunderlich. Brilliant analysis of the "Minoan" civilization, refuting many of the popular notions regarding the "palace" of Knossos.

THE DANCER FROM ATLANTIS, 1972, Poul Anderson. A time-travel story set in ancient Crete, just before the eruption of Thera. (fiction)

FUNERAL GAMES, 1981, Mary Renault. Brilliant novel of the death and succession of Alexander the Great. (fiction)

GILGAMESH THE KING, 1985, Robert Silverburg. A novelization of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the most ancient epic tale from Sumeria, the first civilization. (fiction)

THE MAZE MAKER, 1969, Michael Ayrton. Story of Daedalus, builder of the Minoan Labyrinth and first man to fly. (fiction)

Goddess Herstory

"Chalice" graphic copyright Robin Wood - Used with permission.
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