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paganism
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Mithras slaying the bull Map depicting the spread of Christianity through the 11th century across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Areas where Christianity was established by 1100 are shaded, with lines marking the boundaries of the Roman Empire under Constantine and the Holy Roman Empire around 1000. The map also shows the division between Western and Eastern Christianity in 1054 and highlights locations of Eastern independent churches such as the Copts and Nestorians. Major regions, peoples, and cities are l Ancient Roman wall painting in the Villa of the Mysteries, Pompeii, showing figures in flowing garments and dramatic poses against a vivid red background, with some damage at the top left. Senior druid King Arthur Pendragon, wearing ceremonial robes and a crown, raises his hands during a Winter Solstice ceremony near Stonehenge in Amesbury, United Kingdom. Silhouetted figures in costumes and cloaks, some with antler headdresses, stand outdoors holding banners during a Samhain ceremony at sunset near Glastonbury Tor.

paganism: References & Edit History

Additional Reading

The best overview of the concept of paganism is Owen Davies, Paganism: A Very Short Introduction (2011). The term pagan is addressed in various texts, such as James J. O’Donnell, Pagans: The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity (2015). A scholarly primer on modern Paganism is available in Graham Harvey, Listening People, Speaking Earth: Contemporary Paganism (1997).

Ethan Doyle White

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Ethan Doyle White
    Possessing a PhD in Medieval History and Archaeology from University College London, Ethan Doyle White writes on religion, folklore, history, and archaeology, with a particular focus on areas of cultural marginality such as contemporary Paganism and modern witchcraft beliefs.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: IOPscience - IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science - The Elements of Paganism as Reflected in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”. Sep 05, 2026
Add new Web site: Christian History Institute - Into the heart of paganism. Oct 24, 2025
Add new Web site: Gresham College - Paganism in Roman Britain. Sep 13, 2025
Add new Web site: ABC listen - God Forbid - Paganism: myths, magic, and nature conservation. May 23, 2025
Add new Web site: IOPscience - IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science - The Elements of Paganism as Reflected in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”. Sep 26, 2024
Add new Web site: Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine - Paganism. Aug 21, 2024
Add new Web site: Ancient Origins - The true meaning of Paganism. Mar 29, 2024
Add new Web site: Learn Religions - Intro to Paganism: A 13 Step Study Guide. Feb 16, 2024
Add new Web site: Harvard University - The Pluralism Project - Paganism. Dec 05, 2023
Add new Web site: McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia - Paganism. Oct 10, 2023
Add new Web site: Academia - Defining Paganism in the Carolingian World (PDF). Aug 18, 2023
New article added. Mar 22, 2023
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