When God Was a Woman:
Here, archaeologically documented, is the fascinating story of the religion of the "Goddess." Known by many names -- Astarte, Isis, Ishtar, among others -- she and matriarchy reigned supreme in the Near and Middle East.
In addition to being worshipped for fertility, the Goddess was revered as the wise creator and the one source of universal order. The author reveals a very ancient conspiracy: the patriarchal re-imaging of the Goddess into a wanton, depraved figure, the portrait that laid the foundation for one of culture's greatest shams -- the legend of Adam and fallen Eve.
When God Was a Woman
Plato, Prehistorian:
10000 to 5000 BC in Myth and Archaeology:
In this astonishing synthesis of classical and archaeological scholarship, Settegast takes us from the cave paintings of Lascaux to the shrines of Catal Huyuk, demonstrating correspondences both to Plato's tale and to the mystery religions of antiquity... builds a case for the identification of the Magdalenian culture as the historical basis for Plato's Atlantis legend. This is analogous to Schliemann's use of Homer's Trojan war accounts to locate the historical Troy.
Plato Prehistorian
The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe, 6500-3500 BC: Myths and Cult Images:
"This is the first time that the fascinating figurine art of the Neolithic and Copper Ages has been treated extensively and in English..." ...European civilization between 6500 and 3500 BC...Gimbutas sketches the matrilinear village culture that evolved there before it was overwhelmed by the patriarchal Indo-Euopreans. The Goddess incarnating the creative principle as a Source and Giver of All, fertility images, mythical animals, and other artifacts are analyzed for their mythic and social significance in this beautifully illustrated study.
Babylonian Story of the Deluge and the Epic of Gilgamesh with an Account of the Royal Libraries of Nineveh
Ancient Mystery Cults:
The most eminent contemporary historian of ancient Greek religion discusses the cults of Eleusinian Demeter, Dionysus, the Anatolian Great Mother, of Isis, and Mithras, and describes initiation rituals, priestly organization, secret rites and the personal religious experience these cults evoked....written by best scholar of ancient Greek religion.
Ancient Mystery Cults
Judaism and its traditions have been a source of comfort and insight for five millennia worth of believers. In Judaic Mysticism, you will discover what this rich source of religious mysticism has to offer....honors the Covenant between God and Israel - revealing its secrets, symbols, and meanings left to us by the ancient past - opening the doors of perception within every modern heart.
Judaic Mysticism
The Ancient Synagogue:
Levine (Jewish history & classical archaeology, Hebrew Univ.) has produced a massive and scholarly study of the evolving role of the synagogue, from the Hellenistic period to late antiquity. ...shows the "exuberant diversity" of synagogues of the Diaspora (the Jewish exile) and points out the common patterns that provided unity to a dispersed community.
The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years
Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet:
Story about the strange, persecuted figure, whose freakish appearance - elongated and effete - who was totally at odds with that of the traditional Egyptian ruler-hero. Akhenaten sought to impose upon Egypt and its people the worship of a single god, and was unpopular in his time. The author presents an entirely new perspective on the turbulent events of his seventeen-year reign.
Akhenaten: Egypt's False Prophet
Ramesses II: Greatest of the Pharaohs:
Ramesses II: Greatest of the Pharaohs
Believed by many to be the pharoah who refused Moses' pleas to free the Hebrews, Ramesses II is one of the most famous and important of the Pharaohs. During his long reign (1279-1213 BC), Egypt defeated the Hittites, greatly expanded its empire, and developed its justice system and a splendid culture. Ramesses also created spectacular monuments, including the extraordinary temples at Aim Simbel. Draws on ancient documents and wall paintings, bas-reliefs, and colossal statues.
The Dawn of Belief: Religion in the Upper Paleolithic of Southwestern Europe:
An intriguing synthesis of archaeology, anthropology, and sociology to reconstruct the religious beliefs of early humans. "A well-written and concise account of what has recently been achieved by the investigations of spiritual life of the Earth's most ancient human communities."
The Dawn of Belief: Religion in the Upper Paleolithic of Southwestern Europe
With Perfect Faith: The Foundations of Jewish Belief
Travel through time from the comfort of your living room. Join us as we explore the earliest religious practices and beliefs, some of which continue to impact our lives today. This section is about the earliest-known religions: Creation myths and the Great Flood stories from the Mideast, human sacrifice and idol worship, Druids in Western Europe, Goddess worship around the world since Paleolithic times, Hebrew and Egyptian faiths... 
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