Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses

The book opens with a preface to the second edition, explaining that no global database of deities can be fully comprehensive because of regional variations and localized cults. The author states that the work aims to include the names of deities most likely to be encountered by students, travelers, museum researchers, and readers of religious or archaeological materials. The introduction explains the development of gods and goddesses from animistic spirits into more defined divine personalities, arranged in pantheons and associated with specific cosmic, social, natural, or ritual functions. A chronology chart situates the major religions and cultures covered in the book from ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, Hindu, Greek, Buddhist, Roman, African, Polynesian, Christian, Islamic, and other traditions. The main dictionary then proceeds alphabetically, beginning with entries such as A-a, A’as, Abandinus, Abellio, Abeona, Abgal, Abhijit, and other deities from multiple civilizations.