Worshipping the gods

Summary: This book is the result of a study of the numerous archaeological discoveries in Israel by the authors, as well as of many visits to museums and archaeological sites both in Israel and abroad over the past thirty years. Indeed, it is the absence of any research-work engaging with the art and cult in Roman Eretz Israel that relate to the deities of the Greek, Roman and Oriental pantheons, that led them to undertake this work. The methodology applied here, based on the various artistic media discussed, was selected in an attempt to respond to some of the questions and problems that arose in the course of the study. The authors examination of the wealth of material, the study of the various artistic aspects and the religious and cultic rites, as well as of the attitude of the contemporary population towards their deities. Circa 500 pictures illustrate the deities executed in marble, basalt, bronze, sandstone, terracotta, and depicted in mosaic or on coins, glass and gems. They also show sacred sites, reconstructions, drawings and ground plans.