Overview

The idea of heaven and hell is one of the oldest and most widespread religious beliefs of human civilization. In the history of western literature, this spiritual concept was frequently embedded in stories of underworld and heavenly journeys. A variety of topics related to the nature of the universe, life on earth and the existence of the gods are explored in these stories. In the ancient western world, otherworldly journey narratives appeared in a wide variety of literary contexts including mythology, poetry and philosophical writings. Later in medieval times, otherworldly journey narratives remained a popular form of literary expression. By focusing upon the “sacred cosmos”, the content of these stories is primarily religious in nature. Rather than discussing mundane existence on earth, these tales describe a fantastic world filled with supernatural beings and miraculous happenings. Journeys to the Underworld and Heavenly Realm in Ancient and Early Medieval Literature examines these fascinating tales of wonder as they appear in the literature of the ancient west and early medieval Europe.

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9781476674513

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Reviews

Ambitious...devotes an Introduction and seven rich chapters to this challenging topic...[the author's] erudition and the genuine fascination for the subject matter emerge throughout...an accessible book. Stephen's prose is engaging, and his research interests and intellectual curiosity are clearly apparent throughout. The chapters are usually well-structured...has tremendous potential and, at least in certain areas, J.C. Stephens succeeds in proving his arguments... The topic of otherworldly journeys is an exciting one. --Bryn Mawr Classical Review; a fascinating and exceptionally informative read from beginning to end...recommended --Midwest Book Review.

Ambitious...devotes an Introduction and seven rich chapters to this challenging topic...[the author's] erudition and the genuine fascination for the subject matter emerge throughout...an accessible book. Stephen's prose is engaging, and his research interests and intellectual curiosity are clearly apparent throughout. The chapters are usually well-structured...has tremendous potential and, at least in certain areas, J.C. Stephens succeeds in proving his arguments... The topic of otherworldly journeys is an exciting one. --Bryn Mawr Classical Review a fascinating and exceptionally informative read from beginning to end...recommended --Midwest Book Review.

a fascinating and exceptionally informative read from beginning to end...recommended --Midwest Book Review. Ambitious...devotes an Introduction and seven rich chapters to this challenging topic...[the author's] erudition and the genuine fascination for the subject matter emerge throughout...an accessible book. Stephen's prose is engaging, and his research interests and intellectual curiosity are clearly apparent throughout. The chapters are usually well-structured...has tremendous potential and, at least in certain areas, J.C. Stephens succeeds in proving his arguments... The topic of otherworldly journeys is an exciting one. --Bryn Mawr Classical Review There is so much to praise and to value in this book...a generous book that opens a window on a vast reservoir of cultural expression unknown to the vast majority of modern readers. Stephens's thesis roots these works in the religious substratum of their content, suturing them carefully to their historical context while still categorizing them thematically in a coherent narrative trajectory. Teachers and students of material that postdates the chronological boundaries of Stephens's book will still find it an enriching, enlightening resource on the deep past of journey narratives. --Smart--Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching

Ambitious...devotes an Introduction and seven rich chapters to this challenging topic...[the author's] erudition and the genuine fascination for the subject matter emerge throughout...an accessible book. Stephen's prose is engaging, and his research interests and intellectual curiosity are clearly apparent throughout. The chapters are usually well-structured...has tremendous potential and, at least in certain areas, J.C. Stephens succeeds in proving his arguments... The topic of otherworldly journeys is an exciting one. --Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Author Information

John C. Stephens is an adjunct professor of religion at San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton, California.

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