Project Gutenberg 2012-10-16 Public domain in the USA. 1788 Frazer, James George 1854 1941 Frazer, Sir James George Frazer, J. G. (James George) The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Bough "The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2)" by James George Frazer is a scholarly work on comparative mythology and anthropology, written in the late 19th century. The book explores the themes of religion and superstition across various cultures, with a focus on primitive beliefs and practices, particularly surrounding nature worship. The opening sets the stage for a deep investigation into human expressions of divinity and the interconnectedness of ritualistic practices across civilizations. At the start of the book, Frazer introduces the concept of the "King of the Wood," which centers on the ancient priesthood found in the sacred grove near Lake Nemi in Italy. This priest, tasked with guarding sacred rituals, is bound by a unique rule whereby he can only be succeeded by someone who kills him, underscoring a theme of life, death, and regeneration inherent in ancient religious rituals. The introduction hints at the wider implications of this sacrificial system, suggesting it reflects broader patterns of belief found in various cultures. Frazer also emphasizes the connection between the primitive rituals observed in Europe today and those of ancient peoples, indicating that such customs can provide vital insights into the evolution of religion and myth. (This is an automatically generated summary.) file:///public/vhost/g/gutenberg/html/files/41082/41082-h/images/cover.jpg Reading ease score: 66.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. en Religion Magic Superstition Mythology BL Text Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore Category: Archaeology & Anthropology Category: Religion/Spirituality 1662437 2025-07-16T14:35:03.031483 text/html 1806863 2012-10-16T18:15:48 text/html 560606 2025-07-16T14:35:24.178350 application/epub+zip 586047 2025-07-16T14:35:06.230432 application/epub+zip 4638128 2012-10-16T18:16:46 application/pdf 493762 2025-07-16T14:35:04.515452 application/epub+zip 1078975 2025-07-16T14:35:37.300275 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 881852 2025-07-16T14:35:22.727372 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 96836 2022-09-18T18:37:30.791382 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 832834 2025-07-16T14:34:59.845957 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 833843 2020-06-15T15:02:02 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 890402 2012-10-16T18:16:47 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 890738 2012-10-16T18:16:47 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 27901 2025-07-16T14:35:37.477273 application/rdf+xml 916071 2012-10-16T18:16:47 application/prs.tei 19403 2025-07-16T14:35:04.835486 image/jpeg 2865 2025-07-16T14:35:04.678467 image/jpeg 305620 2020-06-15T15:02:02 application/octet-stream application/zip 307870 2012-10-16T18:16:47 application/octet-stream application/zip 544009 2012-10-16T18:15:48 application/octet-stream application/zip 921206 2012-10-16T18:16:46 application/octet-stream application/zip 455595 2012-10-16T18:16:48 application/octet-stream application/zip 307490 2012-10-16T18:16:48 application/octet-stream application/zip 523315 2025-07-16T14:35:03.113510 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia