Das Mysterienwesen im Kontext von Religion und Gesellschaft der römischen Kaiserzeit

Resumen

In the Roman Empire the mystery cults were an integral part
within the extensive range of options giving meaning, orientation and
guidance. Th e communities stood out due to specifi c qualities and are
said to diff er comprehensively from several centuries-old conventions
and attitudes.
My PhD project, whose structure is shown concisely, wants to contribute
to a more balanced historical consideration of the θίασοι. Besides the (fi rst) initiation practice the typological investigation centres on the
circles’ togetherness. Primarily emanating from the „Metamorphoses”
of Apuleius of Madaura, it is shown that certain traditional expectations
as well as opinions were elementary for the collegia, too. Furthermore,
special attention is drawn to the basic problems dealing with the ancient
mystery cults and the Religionsgeschichtliche Schule.