The existential security hypothesis predicts that in the absence of more successful secular institutions, people will be attracted to religion when they are materially insecure. Most assessments, however, employ data sampled at a state-level with focus on world religions. Using individual-level collected societies varied community sizes diverse religious traditions including animism, shamanism,...

Such imaginative descriptions will have been influenced by mythical beliefs in sirens and mermaids. The Greek sirens were singing bird-women who lured sailors to their death, as described by Homer (I945 :c. Iooo B.C.) in the Odyssey and interpreted in terms of classical religious mythology by Robert Graves (I955). TIhe mermaid or water-nymph type of siren of nautical tradition originates in the...

The Hittites worshiped some secondary deities bearing the ending in -šepa, whose features are far from being thoroughly investigated. discussion will cover both linguistic and contextual analysis of every god, takingtheminto consideration as single entities a group

A number of source‑scientific and historiographical studies have been analyzed. They provide information on finds objects related to the cults deities Egyptian origin in territory Northern Black Sea Coast Ukrainian Steppe. description relevant epigraphic inscriptions, sgraffito, bronze, marble, terracotta bone statuettes, reliefs clay candelabrums dishes, gems carved from precious stones, golde...

The “Sun-goddess of the earth” and less clearly defined category “chthonic solar deities” Hittite religion have been objects various studies in recent years. This paper aims to examine significance these categories deities within festival texts. Although Sun-goddess earth achieves some prominence local cult contexts, such as at Zippalanda Nerik, she otherwise remains a marginal deity. contrasts...

The basic ritual act of the Xangô, a cult of African origin found in Northeastern Brazil, is the offering of animal sacrifice to its deities. But by far most of the meat that results from this practice is redirected to the faithful and thus the Xangô appears as good to eat. It is also good to employ, since priests and their assistants function as providers of some specialized services, rewarded...