About the book
How new is atheism? Although adherents and opponents alike today present it as an invention of the European Enlightenment, when the forces of science and secularism broadly challenged those of faith, disbelief in the gods, in fact, originated in a far more remote past. In Battling the Gods, Tim Whitmarsh journeys into the ancient Mediterranean, a world almost unimaginably different from our own, to recover the stories and voices of those who first refused the divinities. Whitmarsh provides a bracing antidote to our assumptions about the roots of freethinking. By shining a light on atheism’s first thousand years, Battling the Gods offers a timely reminder that nonbelief has a wealth of tradition of its own, and, indeed, its own heroes.
Editions of Battling the Gods
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780307948779
- AltFormat
- ISBN 9780307958327
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307958334
Read an Excerpt
How new is atheism? Although adherents and opponents alike today present it as an invention of the European Enlightenment, when the forces of science and secularism broadly challenged those of faith, disbelief in the gods, in fact, originated in a far more remote past. In Battling the Gods, Tim Whitmarsh journeys into the ancient Mediterranean, a world almost unimaginably different from our own, to recover the stories and voices of those who first refused the divinities. Whitmarsh provides a bracing antidote to our assumptions about the roots of freethinking. By shining a light on atheism’s first thousand years, Battling the Gods offers a timely reminder that nonbelief has a wealth of tradition of its own, and, indeed, its own heroes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Battling the Gods about?
How new is atheism? Although adherents and opponents alike today present it as an invention of the European Enlightenment, when the forces of science and secularism broadly challenged those of faith, disbelief in the gods, in fact, originated in a far more remote past. In Battling the Gods, Tim Whitmarsh journeys into the ancient Mediterranean, a world almost unimaginably different from our own, to recover the stories and voices of those who first refused the divinities. Whitmarsh provides a bracing antidote to our assumptions about the roots of freethinking. By shining a light on atheism’s first thousand years, Battling the Gods offers a timely reminder that nonbelief has a wealth of tradition of its own, and, indeed, its own heroes.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Battling the Gods?
History and Archaeology > History > Ancient history
Where can I read a sample of Battling the Gods?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780307948779
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Battling the Gods?
Tim Whitmarsh
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Battling the Gods is available as paperback(ISBN 9780307948779) and altformat(ISBN 9780307958327) and ebook(ISBN 9780307958334)
Where can I buy Battling the Gods online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Battling the Gods from below
Where can I buy Battling the Gods?