The Religion of the Ancient Celts

by J. A. MacCulloch

Overview

Today, Ireland is strongly associated with the Roman Catholic Church, but the forebears of the modern-day Irish population participated in a largely unknown religion awash in its own unique system of myth, ritual, and symbolism. In The Religion of the Ancient Celts, author J.A. MacCulloch presents a learned and engaging survey of this fascinating subject. A must-read for fans of ancient Celtic culture or comparative religion buffs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781775414018
Publisher:	The Floating Press
Publication date:	01/01/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	450 KB

Table of Contents

I.	Introductory	1
II.	The Celtic People	8
III.	The Gods of Gaul and the Continental Celts	22
IV.	The Irish Mythological Cycle	49
V.	The Tuatha De Danann	63
VI.	The Gods of the Brythons	95
VII.	The Cuchulainn Cycle	127
VIII.	The Fionn Saga	142
IX.	Gods and Men	158
X.	The Cult of the Dead	165
XI.	Primitive Nature Worship	171
XII.	River and Well Worship	181
XIII.	Tree and Plant Worship	198
XIV.	Animal Worship	208
XV.	Cosmogony	227
XVI.	Sacrifice, Prayer, and Divination	233
XVII.	Tabu	252
XVIII.	Festivals	256
XIX.	Accessories of Cult	279
XX.	The Druids	293
XXI.	Magic	319
XXII.	The State of the Dead	333
XXIII.	Rebirth and Transmigration	348
XXIV.	Elysium	362