Author Description

The renowned classical scholar and archaeologist A. B. Cook (1868-1952) published the second volume of his monumental Zeus: A Study in Ancient Religion in two parts in 1925. Part I, containing the main text of the study, surveys the theme of Zeus as god of lightning and thunder, an idea that became common during the classical period. Weaving together archaeological, artistic and ancient literary evidence, Cook investigates in detail the concept of the 'Diosemia' or the Zeus-sign; the ideas of the Zeus-struck man, the heavenly road of Zeus and Greek sky-pillars; the relationship between Zeus and Dionysus; and the role of the shrine at Delphi (usually associated with Apollo) in Zeus worship. This sumptuous work is a treasure of primary texts, epigraph material and archaeological data. It contains hundreds of illustrations, and is an indispensable tool for students of classics, mythology and ancient religion.