Inadequately documented, ancient Greek religion can all too easily be reduced to the dry analysis of archaeological remains and so-called `ritual objects'. This authoritative new work attempts to bridge the gap that usually divides Greek religion from Greek history, setting it firmly in the thick of contemporary events and politics. How did people actually worship the gods? Was Socrates's trial a crisis for religion or the state, or both? These are among the key issues addressed in what promises to be the definitive work on the subject for many years to come.

"Truly comprehensive....Strongly recommended for upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, scholars."

"Athenian History (part 1)lays a solid and important foundation... a wealth of evidence and discussion.... Parker lays out all this material and carefully and thoughtfully picks his way through it."

"Robert Parker has performed an inestimable service in gathering, organizing and interpreting virtually all available information about Athenian religious practice that can be fitted into a chronological framework. He has done this so meticulously and with such good sense that his work will have to be the starting point for future study of almost any Athenian cult....Parker's achievement is stunning."

"Parker's attention to the peculiarly Attic spirit of much Athenian religion is also welcome and supports good discussions...Scholars whose primary interests lie in the interaction between politics and religious practice, in particular, will need to pay close attention to what he has to say."

"...Athenian Religion...will serve as a scholarly reference book for years to come."

Robert Parker, Wykeham Professor of Ancient History, Oxford University