Religion Past and Present

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Mania
(590 words)

[German Version]

generally refers to a state of intense psychological agitation that is often combined with a heightened feeling of self and an uninhibited urge to act. In its original meaning, Gk μανία/manía may denote frenzy and madness, but also exceptional emotions ranging from love to rage. In the history of antique religion, there are notable divine personifications of madness known as Maniai (only in the plural!). They were venerated at the place of this name near Megalopolis, where legend claimed that Orestes had lost his mind. In the cult of Dionysus (Bacchus), there was also …

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Ziemer, Jürgen, “Mania”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_13502>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013



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