Over 2,500 Deities of the World.
Throughout history, questions of life and death, famine and bounty, good and bad luck have puzzled people the world over, and they have attempted to solve mysteries and allay fears in the same way - through the worship of gods. Almost every culture from Siberia to South America has had a pantheon headed by a creator god. The responsibilities of other deities in the pantheon include anything from protection of the home to a locally important aspect of weather.
'Encyclopedia Of Gods' is the most comprehensive work of reference yet compiled on the world's deities. Arranged alphabetically from A-a, the sun goddess of Mesopotamia, to Zurvan, the Persian god of fate, there are more than 2,500 entries, from the famous to the obscure, and from the earliest times to major contemporary religions.
Each details the culture that worshipped that deity, the god's function and characteristics, and the symbols used in identification. Longer entries for major figures include known periods of worship, references in art and literature, and further insight into the deity's life and times.
Originally published in 1992 and now updated to take account of the latest research, 'Encyclopedia Of Gods' will be indispensable to students and researchers in religions, anthropology, history or archaeology; it will also provide endless fascination for the trivia addict, the crossword puzzle solver and the insatiable browser.
