God Against the Gods The History of the War Between Monotheism and Polytheism |
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| Author:
| Kirsch, Jonathan |
| ISBN: | 978-0-670-03286-0 |
| Publication Date: | Mar 2004 |
| Publisher: | Penguin Publishing Group
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| Imprint: | Viking Adult |
| Book Format: | Hardback |
| List Price: | USD $25.95 |
Book Description:
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Perfectly suited to readers of Bernard Lewis and Karen Armstrong, God Against the Godsis a dramatic and eye-opening epic of the final struggle between monotheism and polytheism in the ancient world. It was a war fought by an Egyptian pharaoh, a Jewish king, and a Roman emperorcharismatic, visionary, and violent men battling in the name of the Only True God. Jonathan Kirsch demonstrates how the world of classical paganism was in fact based on religious liberty and diversity and how the...
More DescriptionPerfectly suited to readers of Bernard Lewis and Karen Armstrong, God Against the Godsis a dramatic and eye-opening epic of the final struggle between monotheism and polytheism in the ancient world. It was a war fought by an Egyptian pharaoh, a Jewish king, and a Roman emperorcharismatic, visionary, and violent men battling in the name of the Only True God. Jonathan Kirsch demonstrates how the world of classical paganism was in fact based on religious liberty and diversity and how the advent of monotheism broughtin the name of true beliefholy war, crusades, martyrdom, and inquisitions.The last stand of paganism in the tumultuous fourth century is a rare example of a moment when two menthe Roman emperors Constantine, who initiated the Christian revolution that formed the future, and Julian, who later tried but failed to restore paganismliterally changed the history of the world. God Against the Gods, breaking a long-lived taboo, reveals monotheisms dark side and polytheisms bright one, illuminating the ancient roots of todays most bloody conflicts as well as the cherished idea of religious liberty.