Convenient Myths: The Axial Age, Dark Green Religion, and the World that Never Was

Half Title Page, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication

Convenient Myths This page intentionally left blank Convenient Myths The Axial Age, Dark Green Religion, and the World That Never Was Iain Provan BAYLOR UNIVERSITY PRESS © 2013 by Baylor University Press, Waco, Texas 76798 All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic , mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of Baylor University Press. Cover Design by theBookDesigners Cover Images ©Shutterstock/siloto, Rufous eISBN: 978-1-60258-993-3 (e-PDF) eISBN: 978-1-4813-0009-4 (Mobipocket) This E-book was converted from the original source file by a third-party vendor. Readers who encounter any issues with formatting, text, linking, or readability are encouraged to notify the publisher at BUP_Production@ baylor.edu. Some font characters may not display on older Kindle devices. To inquire about permission to use selections from this text, please contact Baylor University Press, One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, Texas 76798. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Provan, Iain W. (Iain William), 1957Convenient myths : the axial age, dark green religion, and the world that never was / Iain Provan. 171 pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60258-996-4 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Religion and civilization. 2. Civilization, Ancient. 3. Myth--History. I. Title. BL55.P76 2013 201’.693--dc23 2013012318 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste recycled content. For Lynette, Andrew, Kirsty, Duncan, and Catherine This page intentionally left blank ...