Ancient Magic and Mystery Cults 2900-HAMC-EL-K1-AMMC

This course will shed some light on the so-called Mystery Cults in the ancient world, groups which in some way did not fit in with mainstream religious practice. We will explore whether these cults resemble modern sects or other religious movements, and what its members found attractive about them. We will also discuss whether it is even possible for us modern scholars to get an accurate idea of these ancient mysteries, given their secretive nature. Finally, we will investigate ancient magical rituals, and deliberate how practitioners of ancient magic hoped to influence the world around them.