Conversations with Eternity - Couverture rigide

Temple, Robert K.G.

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0091535107 ISBN 13 : 9780091535100

Editeur : Rider & Co, 1984

Synopsis

Temple, Robert K.G. Conversations With Eternity. Ancient Man's Attempts to Know the Future. First Edition. London, Rider, 1984. 16 cm x 24 cm. 206 Pages. Original Hardcover with illustrated dustjacket in protective Mylar. Excellent condition with only very minor signs of external wear. Slight stains on the page's edge. Includes for example the following essays: The Two Main Western Techniques: Oracles and Extispicy ; Discovery of the Underworld - The Oracular Establishments - Divination by Entrails / The Two Main Eastern Techniques: The Book of Change (i ching) and the Oracle Bones ; The Book of Change - The Oracle Bones - The Oracular Hexagonal Lattice / etc.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

We tend to think of ancient stories of visits to the Underworld - by, for example, Odysseus, Orpheus and Aeneas - as being poetic fictions, but in fact in the ancient world the Underworld was believed to be real place that actually existed. Unfortunately, this entrance to the Underworld was lost in the Dark Ages, and hasn't been rediscovered since - or at least until the 1960s. Recently Robert Temple heard a rumour that an archaeological expedition in 1962 HAD actually rediscovered the entrance near Baiia in Italy, but that the Italian authorities had forbidden exploration. While lobbying to be allowed to excavate, he researched all the classical sources relating to the Underworld and began to piece together what actually happened on these visits to the underworld - how waters in the ritual bathing that preceded entry would be full of hallucinogenic drugs, how a system of trap doors would be used to fake supernatural happenings and how the priests would quiz you as to what you'd experienced when you re-emerged - and if you didn't believe in it, they'd kill you! Netherworld is the extraordinary story of what Temple discovered when he did eventually get permission to make his own descent into the Underworld - including the river Styx, the false doors, the snake pit and carved invocations to the Goddess of the Underworld, all seen here for the first time since ancient civilization.

Revue de presse

"A superb, gripping narrative-Temple is that rare kind of author who can stir the magic within you" ( Manchester Evening News)

"The focus is as wide, and as deep, as civilisation itself- frighteningly clever" ( Sunday Times)

"Robert Temple's fascinating book should be read by all who have an interest in the history of science, and may well cause a revolution in this subject" ( Sir Arthur C. Clarke)

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Rider & Co
• Date d'édition: 1984
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0091535107
• ISBN 13: 9780091535100
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 224
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: WordUnited GmbH; distribution@wordunited.com; ; Theodorstrasse 105; DUSSELDORF; 40472; Allemagne