John Cuthbert Lawson examines the customs, superstitions, and traditional folklore of modern Greece to demonstrate their direct continuity with ancient Greek religion and pagan mythology. The author poses the fundamental question of whether the religious beliefs of the classical era have truly vanished or merely transformed under the veneer of Christianity. Through extensive field research and personal interactions with provincial peasants, muleteers, and local storytellers, Lawson explores the survival of ancient deities, polytheistic worldviews, and magical practices. The book covers distinct pagan figures such as Zeus, Poseidon, Pan, Demeter, Persephone, Charon, Aphrodite, and the Fates, alongside lesser genii, vampires, and nature nymphs.
Lawson argues that despite the nominal dominance of the Christian Church and its deliberate policy of conciliation through the worship of saints, the common folk remain essentially pagan and polytheistic in their hearts. The argument develops by systematically comparing modern folk customs, religious festivals, incubation practices, and funeral rites with literary and artistic evidence from classical antiquity. The discussion ultimately reveals that the Greek Church did not successfully uproot paganism, but rather allowed ancient beliefs to blend seamlessly with Christian forms, creating an enduring religious spirit inherited from pagan ancestors.
