Divinités et sanctuaires de la Gaule, par Émile Thevenot, Librairie Arthème Fayard

Condition :

Publisher's orange cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering, slightly worn. Illustrated dust jacket with protective acetate wrapper; the wrapper has a small loss and a tear. Foxing to the top edge. Very good overall condition. 245 pages.

About the Author

Émile Thevenot (1897-1967) was a French historian, archaeologist and museum curator, renowned for his studies of Roman Gaul and Burgundian archaeology. His research helped shed light on the beliefs, monuments and daily life of ancient Gaul. He remains an important reference for the study of Gaulish religious practices.

Interesting Facts About the Book

The study of Gaulish gods is particularly challenging because the Gauls left very few written records.

Much of what is known about Celtic deities comes from archaeological discoveries, including inscriptions, statues, altars and sanctuary remains.

The book illustrates how certain Gaulish divinities continued to coexist with Roman gods after the Roman conquest.

The symbolism of the number three, which is deeply rooted in Celtic traditions, is one of the most fascinating themes explored in the book.

Key Features

A reference work on Gaulish religion.

Written by a recognized specialist in the field.

Numerous documentary illustrations.

An accessible yet scholarly approach.

Detailed presentation of sanctuaries and places of worship.

A balanced combination of archaeology, history and mythology.

What This Book Offers Today's Reader

This book provides an opportunity to discover the spiritual and cultural roots of ancient Gaul, a subject often overlooked by the general public. It sheds light on how the ancient Celts understood the sacred, nature, and the relationship between humans and the divine. It also serves as an excellent introduction to the history of pre-Christian religions in Western Europe.

Why Is This Book Unusual?

Studying a religion that left almost no sacred texts is a remarkable historical challenge. This work reconstructs a vanished spiritual world primarily through material evidence such as sanctuaries, inscriptions and archaeological artefacts, offering a rare glimpse into the beliefs of ancient Gaul.

Keywords:

Gaulish religion, Gaulish gods, Celtic deities, Celtic religion, ancient Gaul, Gaulish sanctuaries, Celtic sanctuaries, Gaulish temples, Celtic mythology, ancient Celtic beliefs, archaeology, ancient religions, pre-Christian Europe, Celtic culture, Émile Thevenot