Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 4: Dacian Riders–Esther

Volume 4 continues the interdisciplinary framework of the Encyclopedia of Religion by integrating historical research, theology, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, textual interpretation, archaeology, and visual studies. Its entries examine both particular traditions and broader themes that recur across religious cultures, including death, divination, dreams, dualism, ecology, ethics, evil, and esotericism. The volume is especially valuable for its treatment of Daoism, Egyptian religion, Eastern Christianity, and religious understandings of the natural and material worlds. Authorship and revision dates allow readers to identify retained, revised, and newly commissioned contributions, while cross-references and selected bibliographies provide a structured foundation for comparative and advanced research.