This book sheds new light on the evolution and transformation of polytheistic religions. By applying economic models to the study of religious history and by viewing religious events as the result of rational choices under given environmental constraints, it offers a political economy perspective for the study of Indo-European polytheism. The book formally models the rivalry or competition among multiple gods in a polytheistic system and the monotheistic solution to this competition. Presenting case studies on the transformation and demise of various polytheistic religions, it highlights the pivotal role of the priestly class in driving religious change and suggests a joint explanation for the demise of Greco-Roman religion and the resilience of Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. It will appeal to scholars of the economics of religion and religious history and to anyone seeking new insights into the birth and death of religions, and the birth of monotheism in particular.

Examines the evolution of polytheistic religion and its divergent outcomes Approaches polytheistic theology as a rational choice problem Suggests a straightforward explanation for the birth of monotheism

Autorentext

Mario Ferrero is an economist specializing in comparative economic systems, political economy, conflict, terrorism, and religion. In the past twenty years, he has focused on important problems of religious history, including the birth of Christianity, the Catholic Church, and the Reformation, Islam, and polytheism. He has published widely in academic journals and edited volumes.

Klappentext

This book sheds new light on the evolution and transformation of polytheistic religions. By applying economic models to the study of religious history and by viewing religious events as the result of rational choices under given environmental constraints, it offers a political economy perspective for the study of Indo-European polytheism. The book formally models the rivalry or competition among multiple gods in a polytheistic system and the monotheistic solution to this competition. Presenting case studies on the transformation and demise of various polytheistic religions, it highlights the pivotal role of the priestly class in driving religious change and suggests a joint explanation for the demise of Greco-Roman religion and the resilience of Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. It will appeal to scholars of the economics of religion and religious history and to anyone seeking new insights into the birth and death of religions, and the birth of monotheism in particular.

Inhalt

Acknowledgments.- Introduction: Polytheism and Economics.- Part I The Beginnings.- 2 Greeks and Romans: The Religions Without Professional Priests.- 3 Celts and Germans: The Elusive Religions.- 4 Indians and Iranians: The Priestly Religions.- Part II The Endings.- 5 Extinction: Polytheism Unreformed.- 6 Death and Rebirth: Polytheism Reformed.- Part III The Economics.- 7 Economic Analysis: From Typology to Outcomes.- 8 Economic Models: Gods, Supplicants, and Priests.- 9 Conclusions.- References.- Index.