Slavic Paganism in Medieval Christian Writings: Ink, Cross, and Pagan Gods (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9789004688803)

How did medieval Christian writers shape our understanding of Slavic paganism? What prompted men like Thietmar of Merseburg, Saxo Grammaticus, Cosmas of Prague, or the anonymous Old Russian preacher to write detailed accounts of Slavic rituals, deities, and nearly forgotten tales? This volume examines the discursive strategies these authors used to describe, distort, and redefine pre-Christian Slavic religion. Through over a dozen case studies, the author explores texts, archaeological evidence, and ethnographic data that reveal how Christianity attempted to reframe pagan traditions. With innovative interpretations and interdisciplinary methods, this book offers novel perspectives on the study of Slavic pre-Christian religions in the Middle Ages.

Author: Jiří Dynda
ISBN-10: 9004688803
ISBN-13: 9789004688803
Publisher: Brill
Language: English
Published: 09/11/2025
Pages: 332
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.41lbs
Size: 9.25h x 6.10w x 0.75d