Abstract
The category of the ‘dying and rising god’ as established by James Frazer in The Golden Bough, has been deemed ineffective due to various issues, such as overgeneralization. This has led to its dismissal over the years, particularly in the works of Jonathan Z. Smith. This study aims to revisit this category by re-examining four deities (Osiris, Persephone, Dionysus and Inanna) that are typically considered ‘dying and rising gods’ and placing them in their original cultural contexts. This contextual exploration seeks to enhance the efficacy of the category originally proposed by Frazer.
Advisor
Park, Chan Sok
Department
Classical Studies
Recommended Citation
Brown, Emilee, "You Only Die Once: A Re-inspection of the 'Dying and Rising' Category" (2025). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11503.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11503
Disciplines
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity
Keywords
Frazer, Dying and Rising, God, Jesus, Osiris, Persephone, Inanna, Dionysus, Resurrection, afterlife, underworld
Publication Date
2025
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2025 Emilee Brown