From literature more might be expected, and more indeed is forthcoming,
though not perhaps where the modern mind, with its tendency to
methodical analysis, would look for it. If anyone should attempt to
classify ancient Greek literature in modern fashion, under the headings
of religion, science, history, drama, and so forth, he would remark one
apparent deficiency. While history, philosophy, and poetry of every
kind are amply represented and, however much has perished to be read no
more, the choicest blossoms and richest fruit of Greek toil in these
fields have been preserved to us, religion seems at first sight to have
been almost barren of literary produce. The department of religion
pure and simple would have little beyond an Hesiodic Theogony or some
Orphic Hymns to exhibit,--and even these have little enough bearing
upon real religion. In short, it is not on any special branch of Greek
literature, but rather upon the whole bulk thereof, that the student
of Greek religion must rely. He must recognize that a religious spirit
pervades the whole; that there is hardly a book in the language but has
some allusion to religious beliefs and customs, to cults and ceremonies
and divine personalities. And while recognizing this, he must still
admit the fact that nowhere is there found any definite exposition of
accepted beliefs as a whole, any statement of doctrine, any creed which
except a man believe he cannot be saved. How are we to reconcile these
two facts,--the constant presence of religion in all Greek literature,
and the almost total absence of any literature appertaining to religion
only? The answer to this question must be sought in the character of
the religion itself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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