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What major contributions has Walter Burkert made to the study of Greek religion?

Reference

Greek Religion - Walter Burkert - Google Books Greek ReligionWalter BurkertHarvard University Press, 1985 - History - 493 pagesIn this book Walter Burkert, the most eminent living historian of ancient Greek religion, has produced the standard work for our time on that subject. 2nd edn Achilles Acropolis Aesch altar ancient animal Anthesteria Aphrodite Apollo appears Artemis Athena Athenian Bronze called celebrated centre chthonic Crete cult image cultic daimon dance dead death Delphi Demeter Dionysos Dioskouroi divine earth Eleusis epic especially festival FGrHist figures fire GGR Pl gifts goddess gods grave Greece Greek religion Hephaistos Hera Heracles Hermes heroes Hesiod Hirmer Pl Homeric honour Hymn Iliad important Indo-European initiation inscription interpretation Karneia Kerényi king Knossos libation LSCG Marinatos and Hirmer mask Minoan Mycenae Mycenaean mystai mysteries myth mythology nevertheless oath Odyssey offerings Olympian oracle Panathenaia Paus Pind Plat Plato Plut polis Poseidon priest priestess purification Pylos remains ritual Rutkowski sacred sacrifice Samothrace sanctuary Schol seer sexual sixth century soul Sparta stands status temple Thebes tradition vase paintings Vermeule votive votive gifts wine women worshipped Zeus

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books.google.com

Burkert's scholarship has left an enduring impact on the field of Classics. His work paved the way for new and innovative research on ancient Greek religion, particularly: Reframing the Study of Ancient Religion: Burkert's emphasis on ritual and the social function of religion has fundamentally shifted the focus of academic research.

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www.occupythefarm.org

Greek Religion. : Walter Burkert. Wiley, Jan 8, 1991 - History - 504 pages. This is the first major synthesis of Greek religion to appear for a generation. A clearly structured and readable survey for classical scholars and students, it will also be generally welcomed as the best modern account of any polytheistic religious system.

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books.google.com

OpenAI's Answer

Walter Burkert was a highly influential scholar in the field of ancient Greek religion. His work is renowned for transforming the understanding and study of Greek religion by emphasizing the interplay between ritual and myth, as well as integrating insights from anthropology and sociology. Here are some of his major contributions:

  1. Reframing Ancient Religion: Burkert emphasized the importance of rituals and the social function of religion, which shifted the focus of academic research in this field. This approach highlighted how religious practices and beliefs were deeply embedded within the social and cultural fabric of ancient societies. His work paved the way for innovative research into how religion functioned in daily Greek life (source).

  2. Homo Necans: One of his seminal works, "Homo Necans," explores the connection between myth and ritual, using a multidisciplinary approach that includes biological, psychological, and sociological explanations for religious phenomena. This book offered a revolutionary view for its time, utilizing principles like structuralism to understand Greek religion's social aspects (source).

  3. Influence on Classical Scholarship: His book "Greek Religion," published by Harvard University Press, is considered a comprehensive synthesis of Greek polytheistic religion and remains a standard reference for scholars and students. This work organized complex religious practices into a coherent survey, making it widely accessible and foundational for modern studies of ancient polytheistic systems (source).

  4. Cross-Cultural Influences: Burkert explored the crossover of cultural and religious influences, such as in his discussion of the "orientalizing period" of Greek art and literature, which illustrated the absorption of Asiatic cultural elements into Greek practices (source).

Overall, Walter Burkert's contributions lie in his methodological advancements, interdisciplinary approach, and comprehensive syntheses that opened new pathways in the study of ancient Greek religion, placing it within a broader social and historical context.

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