Exploring the connection between ritual and violence, this book synthesizes established theories to uncover how these elements interact. It delves into the cultural significance of rituals and their potential to both embody and provoke violent actions. By analyzing various contexts, the work provides insights into the psychological and social dimensions of rituals, offering a comprehensive understanding of their role in human behavior and societal structures.
Focusing on oath-making narratives in the Iliad, Margo Kitts develops a theory of ritualized violence, examining how these narratives reflect broader cultural practices. She analyzes various ritual paradigms and metaphors, linking them to both Homeric texts and ancient Near Eastern references. By exploring common ritual features associated with religious violence globally, Kitts employs the theory of ritual performance as a means of communication, offering insights into the intersection of violence and sacred practices in Homeric society.
Held in Heidelberg from September 29 to October 2, 2008, the international conference “Ritual Dynamics and the Science of Ritual,” organized by the collaborative research center SFB 619 “Ritual Dynamics,” gathered leading experts in ritual studies and over 600 participants to reassess traditional subjects in light of recent research. The findings, presented in five volumes, pave the way for future transcultural, interdisciplinary, and multi-methodical research on rituals. The conference showcased a wide array of disciplines and methods, covering diverse topics across cultural geographies and spanning from antiquity to the present. The proceedings illustrate the broad definition of rituals and explore their conditions, modes, and functions in various cultures. A key conclusion is that no single model for rituals exists; instead, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research methods are essential. The volumes include: Volume I: Grammars and Morphologies of Ritual Practices in Asia; Volume II: Body, Performance, Agency and Experience; Volume III: State, Power and Violence; Volume IV: Reflexivity, Media and Visuality; Volume V: Transfer and Spaces. A set price for all five volumes is offered (978-3-447-06206-0).
