This is a fairly comprehensive overview of mystery religion in ancient Greco-Roman world, ranging from the best known (e.g. the Eleusinian Mysteries, the cults of Isis & Mithras) to the obscure (e.g. mysteries at Andania and Lycosura). The definition of "mystery cult" used by the author is broad and flexible, so as to include both one-time initiation rites and recurring (often ecstatic) ceremonies like those dedicated to Dionysus/Bacchus and Magna Mater. One chapter is even dedicated to the gold tablets found in certain tombs, which Bowden suggests may not have been linked to any ceremony in which the deceased had participated in life at all (despite the opinion of others that these were specifically buried with Orphic initiates).
If there is a flaw in this text, it may be that Bowden is a bit too confident at times in reconstructing the broad outlines of some of the better-known rites, but all of his conjectures are grounded in either literary or archaeological evidence, frequently both. He does admit uncertainty at times and at least mentions some of the scholarly theories he rejects, such as the use of mind-altering substances by participants in the mysteries of Eleusis. Where there is a clear gap in evidence, this is disclosed as well.
Particularly in the introduction and final chapter, Bowden draws interesting comparisons with contemporary religions, especially those Christian churches in which snake-handling is practiced. While such comparisons could be overstated (which Bowden is careful not to do), they do seem to provide some insight, as does Bowden's contrast between "doctrinal" and "imagistic" forms of religion.
On the subject of images, this book had many, some in colour.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of mystery cults.
