Hellenistic Religious Cults

FAIN: FB-12950-76

Mark T. Riley
California State University, Sacramento Foundation (Sacramento, CA 95819-2605)

To examine the cult of Heracles among the Greeks in the Near East after Alexander, and to determine what influence the Greeks religious thought and practice had on the Gnostic sects, most of which were Christian. Study will enhance background on the early Christian writings and explain the issues and values behind these writings and behind early theology, Christian and Pagan alike.