This webinar will take place on Zoom: Tuesday, 21st March 2023, 17:00 GMT

Goddess as a Social Construct: The worshippers of Atargatis in the Mediterranean from the 4 th c. BCE to the 4 th c. CE

Dr Aleksandra Kubiak-Schneider (University of Wrocław)

Emile Durkheim noticed that religions are social constructs and base on the perception of the societies (Durkheim, E. 1912 (2008): The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life, Oxford). This theory was later developed by Peter L. Berger in 1973. His work “The Social Reality of Religion” became an inspiration to look at the issues of cults of goddesses in the Near East from Hellenistic times to the edict of Constantine the Great (313 CE). Berger's ideas, such as society as a construct of man and mimetics of the reality of that socially constructed world (Berger, 1973: 50) will be reflected through this talk on the issue of the worshippers of the goddess Atargatis, known also as Dea Syria. Her cult was spread across the Near East as well as of this vast region presenting features like the involvement of eunuchs, the presence of women, etc.

Aleksandra Kubiak-Schneider will provide highlights on the cultic personnel, but also on the individuals who set up dedications. She will show the geography of Atargatis' cult based on the epigraphical (inscriptions) and archaeological (temples) material. This talk is an introduction of the research on the project Al-At: People of the Gods. The worshippers of Allat and Atargatis in the Near East from the 4 th c. BCE to the 4 th c. CE funded by NCN MSCA grant Polonez BIS 1 at the University of Wrocław.

The TRAC 2023 Webinar Series is generously supported by The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.

The required Zoom link and passcode will be included in your confirmation email after registration.

For any issues with registration, please contact: Sarah Scoppie (sarah.scoppie@rps.bwl.de)

TRAC Webinar: 21 March 2023