What_DDQ to_TO make_VVI of_IO the_AT strange_JJ image_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 god_NN1 performing_VVG religious_JJ rituals_NN2 ?_? 
Years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, while_CS walking_VVG through_II the_AT familiar_JJ classical_JJ galleries_NN2 of_IO the_AT Boston_NP1 Museum_NN1 of_IO Fine_JJ Arts_NN2 ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ arrested_VVN by_II a_AT1 detail_NN1 of_IO Attic_JJ red-figure_JJ vase-painting_NN1 that_CST had_VHD escaped_VVN me_PPIO1 before_RT :_: an_AT1 altar_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX an_AT1 unusual_JJ feature_NN1 ._. 
Making_VVG offerings_NN2 to_II the_AT divine_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 potent_JJ ,_, ubiquitous_JJ fact_NN1 of_IO ancient_JJ Greek_JJ religious_JJ life_NN1 :_: "_" The_AT central_JJ ritual_NN1 of_IO Greek_JJ religion_NN1 ,_, from_II the_AT pouring_JJ of_IO libations_NN2 onwards_RL ,_, is_VBZ the_AT offering_NN1 to_II the_AT god_NN1 ._. "_" 
This_DD1 particular_JJ altar_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT organizing_JJ axis_NN1 of_IO the_AT register_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 great_JJ three-handled_JJ kalpishydria_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 water-carrying_JJ vessel_NN1 ._. 
The_AT vase_NN1 is_VBZ ascribed_VVN to_II the_AT Berlin_NP1 Painter_NN1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT great_JJ masters_NN2 of_IO ancient_JJ Greek_JJ vase-painting_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 dates_VVZ from_II about_RG 485_MC B.C.E._NP1 ,_, that_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, from_II the_AT very_RG late_RR archaic_JJ period_NN1 --_NN1 in_II fact_NN1 between_II the_AT two_MC times_NNT2 of_IO Hellas_NP2 's_GE greatest_JJT menace_NN1 from_II Persia_NP1 ._. 
What_DDQ stopped_VVD me_PPIO1 was_VBDZ that_CST the_AT altar_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX the_AT focus_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 sacrifice_NN1 performed_VVN by_II human_JJ beings_NN2 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, six_MC Olympian_JJ gods_NN2 and_CC goddesses_NN2 converged_VVN on_II it_PPH1 from_II either_DD1 side_NN1 ._. 
The_AT deities_NN2 appeared_VVD to_TO be_VBI themselves_PPX2 worshipers_NN2 at_II a_AT1 sacrifice_NN1 ,_, forming_VVG their_APPGE own_DA procession_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ did_VDD this_DD1 majestic_JJ vase_NN1 mean_VV0 ?_? 
A_AT1 painted_JJ plaque_NN1 from_II the_AT archaic_JJ Saphtouli_JJ cave-site_NN1 near_II Pitsa_NP1 gives_VVZ us_PPIO2 the_AT elements_NN2 of_IO canonical_JJ Greek_JJ animal_NN1 sacrifice_NN1 ._. 
The_AT animal_NN1 victim_NN1 ,_, in_II this_DD1 case_NN1 a_AT1 ram_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ led_VVN to_II the_AT altar_NN1 in_II procession_NN1 ,_, accompanied_VVN by_II the_AT music_NN1 of_IO flutes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT atmosphere_NN1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO order_NN1 ,_, peace_NN1 ,_, and_CC holiness_NN1 ._. 
The_AT worshipers_NN2 bear_VV0 the_AT ritual_JJ implements_NN2 of_IO wine_NN1 jug_NN1 ,_, basket_NN1 (_( kanoun_NN1 )_) ,_, barley_NN1 (_( oulai_NN2 )_) ,_, and_CC woolen_JJ fillets_NN2 ,_, called_VVN stemmata_NN1 ._. 
The_AT wine_NN1 jug_NN1 ,_, or_CC oinochoe_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ used_VVN to_TO fill_VVI the_AT libation_NN1 bowl_NN1 ,_, or_CC phiale_NN1 ,_, whose_DDQGE contents_NN2 were_VBDR poured_VVN out_RP as_II an_AT1 offering_NN1 ,_, either_RR directly_RR onto_II the_AT altar_NN1 to_II the_AT Olympian_JJ powers_NN2 ,_, or_CC into_II the_AT ground_NN1 to_II the_AT chthonian_JJ powers_NN2 or_CC to_II the_AT dead_RG --_JJ that_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, to_II the_AT underworld_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II the_AT contemporary_JJ belief_NN1 that_CST "_" the_AT normal_JJ sacrificial_JJ cult_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 cult_NN1 without_IW revelation_NN1 or_CC epiphany_NN1 ,_, "_" primary_JJ evidence_NN1 suggests_VVZ that_CST the_AT Greeks_NN2 believed_VVD that_CST the_AT gods_NN2 both_RR attended_VVN and_CC responded_VVN to_TO sacrifice_VVI ._. 
In_II Book_NN1 12_MC of_IO the_AT Odyssey_NN1 ,_, the_AT island_NN1 Phaiakians_NN2 are_VBR described_VVN as_II being_VBG so_RG blessed_JJ that_CST when_CS they_PPHS2 sacrificed_VVD they_PPHS2 could_VM actually_RR see_VVI the_AT gods_NN2 '_GE huge_JJ ,_, luminous_JJ forms_NN2 superintending_VVG ._. 
The_AT presence_NN1 of_IO the_AT deity_NN1 is_VBZ often_RR implied_VVN in_II art_NN1 by_II a_AT1 cult_NN1 statue_NN1 ,_, as_CSA we_PPIS2 see_VV0 in_II an_AT1 archaic_JJ belly-amphora_NN1 in_II Berlin_NP1 ,_, in_II which_DDQ Athena_NP1 Promachos_NP1 receives_VVZ a_AT1 sacrificial_JJ procession_NN1 at_II a_AT1 stone_NN1 altar_NN1 or_CC in_II a_AT1 trefoil_NN1 oinochoe_NN1 from_II the_AT same_DA museum_NN1 showing_VVG a_AT1 Dionysiac_JJ herm_NN1 presiding_VVG over_II a_AT1 flaming_JJ altar_NN1 as_CSA two_MC worshipers_NN2 approach_VV0 with_IW basket_NN1 and_CC flute_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB sometimes_RT it_PPH1 is_VBZ no_AT stiff_JJ image_NN1 that_CST the_AT vases_NN2 show_VV0 us_PPIO2 at_II the_AT altar_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT god_NN1 's_GE epiphany_NN1 in_II his_APPGE or_CC her_APPGE sacred_JJ animal_NN1 or_CC bird_NN1 --_NN1 as_CSA in_II a_AT1 black-figure_JJ hydria_NN1 in_II Uppsala_NP1 ,_, in_II which_DDQ an_AT1 enormous_JJ owl_NN1 just_RR outside_II Athena_NP1 's_GE temple_NN1 (_( as_CSA designated_VVN by_II the_AT column_NN1 )_) surely_RR stands_VVZ for_IF the_AT numinous_JJ presence_NN1 of_IO the_AT goddess_NN1 herself_PPX1 ._. 
The_AT divine_JJ bird_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT focus_NN1 for_IF the_AT worshiper_NN1 ,_, hand_NN1 raised_VVN in_II a_AT1 canonical_JJ gesture_NN1 of_IO awe_NN1 or_CC reverence_NN1 at_II the_AT appearance_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 deity_NN1 ,_, and_CC also_RR for_IF the_AT sacrificial_JJ beasts_NN2 symmetrically_RR ranged_VVN around_II the_AT altar_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ the_AT bird_NN1 's_GE platform_NN1 ._. 
Finally_RR ,_, there_EX are_VBR vases_NN2 like_II the_AT Louvre_NP1 red-figure_JJ bell-krater_NN1 from_II the_AT classical_JJ period_NN1 in_II which_DDQ the_AT "_" living_JJ god_NN1 "_" himself_PPX1 ,_, in_II this_DD1 case_NN1 the_AT ephebic_JJ Apollo_NP1 with_IW laurel_NN1 staff_NN and_CC crown_NN1 ,_, serenely_RR observes_VVZ a_AT1 sacrifice_NN1 to_II himself_PPX1 in_II full_JJ swing_NN1 with_IW grilling_VVG meat_NN1 ,_, cake_NN1 offerings_NN2 ,_, and_CC poured_VVD libations_NN2 upon_II an_AT1 altar_NN1 behind_II which_DDQ grows_VVZ the_AT tree_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ special_JJ to_II him_PPHO1 ,_, the_AT laurel_NN1 ._. 
Erika_NP1 Simon_NP1 has_VHZ identified_VVN the_AT work_NN1 of_IO Nikolaus_NP1 Himmelmann-Wildschutz_NP1 as_II the_AT most_RGT important_JJ response_NN1 to_II her_APPGE pioneering_JJ Opfernde_NP1 G.tter_NP1 ._. 
One_PN1 can_VM understand_VVI why_RRQ ._. 
Rather_II21 than_II22 offering_VVG a_AT1 superficial_JJ defense_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 Nilsson_NP1 's_GE (_( which_DDQ ends_VVZ by_II collapsing_VVG upon_II itself_PPX1 )_) ,_, this_DD1 scholar_NN1 dives_VVZ deep_RR into_II the_AT heart_NN1 of_IO Simon_NP1 's_GE ideas_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 those_DD2 of_IO Eckstein-Wolf_NP1 and_CC others_NN2 ,_, and_CC thoughtfully_RR refutes_VVZ them_PPHO2 on_II their_APPGE own_DA terms_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 is_VBZ familiar_JJ with_IW and_CC respectful_JJ of_IO what_DDQ has_VHZ already_RR been_VBN written_VVN on_II the_AT subject_NN1 ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 he_PPHS1 profoundly_RR disagrees_VVZ with_IW his_APPGE predecessors_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE own_DA explanation_NN1 for_IF the_AT numerous_JJ images_NN2 of_IO the_AT "_" spendende_NN1 Gotter_NP1 "_" completely_RR differs_VVZ from_II the_AT preceding_JJ general_JJ hypotheses_NN2 offered_VVN as_CSA alternatives_NN2 to_II Simon_NP1 's_GE ._. 
Far_RR from_II dismissing_VVG the_AT frequent_JJ portrayal_NN1 of_IO the_AT libating_JJ gods_NN2 as_II an_AT1 annoying_JJ footnote_NN1 in_II ancient_JJ Greek_JJ iconography_NN1 ,_, Himmelmann_NP1 calls_VVZ it_PPH1 "_" the_AT most_RGT important_JJ religious_JJ phenomenon_NN1 in_II all_DB of_IO classical_JJ art_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 claims_VVZ that_CST what_DDQ we_PPIS2 have_VH0 is_VBZ in_II a_AT1 fact_NN1 a_AT1 brand_JJ21 new_JJ22 category_NN1 of_IO picture_NN1 ,_, in_II which_DDQ the_AT gods_NN2 are_VBR exempt_JJ from_II all_DB episodic_JJ contingency_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 conceives_VVZ of_IO the_AT world_NN1 of_IO the_AT ancient_JJ Greek_JJ gods_NN2 not_XX as_II a_AT1 mirror_NN1 of_IO the_AT overheated_JJ ,_, turbulent_JJ human_JJ world_NN1 ,_, but_CCB rather_RR as_II a_AT1 timeless_JJ ,_, self-sustaining_JJ universe_NN1 ._. 
Greek_JJ gods_NN2 exist_VV0 only_RR for_IF themselves_PPX2 ._. 
Their_APPGE purpose_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO be_VBI ,_, not_XX to_TO do_VDI ._. 
Human_JJ beings_NN2 may_VM react_VVI to_II ,_, importune_NN1 ,_, or_CC seek_VV0 to_TO emulate_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
But_CCB that_DD1 is_VBZ not_XX the_AT gods_NN2 '_GE concern_NN1 ;_; they_PPHS2 are_VBR unaffected_JJ by_II the_AT human_JJ drama_NN1 below_II them_PPHO2 ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 it_PPH1 is_VBZ so_RG drastically_RR affected_VVN by_II the_AT divine_JJ ._. 
This_DD1 immortal_JJ "_" state_NN1 of_IO being_VBG "_" in_II splendid_JJ isolation_NN1 takes_VVZ place_NN1 on_II a_AT1 different_JJ ,_, higher_JJR plane_NN1 than_CSN the_AT mortal_NN1 ._. 
Accordingly_RR ,_, Himmelmann_NP1 believes_VVZ that_CST archaic_JJ cult_NN1 statues_NN2 did_VDD not_XX relate_VVI in_II any_DD way_NN1 to_II their_APPGE viewers_NN2 ,_, even_RR devotees_NN2 ._. 
Even_RR more_RGR important_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 feels_VVZ that_DD1 research_NN1 indicates_VVZ that_CST "_" the_AT phiale_NN1 in_II the_AT hand_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 &lsqb;_( cult_NN1 &rsqb;_) statue_NN1 or_CC an_AT1 unmoving_JJ solitary_JJ figure_NN1 can_VM not_XX be_VBI related_VVN to_II mythical_JJ events_NN2 ._. "_" 
Rather_RR ,_, "_" it_PPH1 functions_VVZ as_II a_AT1 formulaic_JJ designation_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 sacrificial_JJ recipient_NN1 ,_, intended_VVD to_TO make_VVI visible_JJ his_APPGE (_( the_AT recipient_NN1 's_GE )_) relationship_NN1 to_II the_AT sacrificing_NN1 mortal_NN1 ._. "_" 
Furthermore_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 maintains_VVZ that_CST the_AT god_NN1 with_IW the_AT libation_NN1 bowl_NN1 from_II fifth-century_JJ vase-painting_NN1 ,_, whether_CSW motionless_JJ or_CC animated_JJ ,_, has_VHZ an_AT1 unassailable_JJ iconographic_JJ heritage_NN1 in_II the_AT earlier_JJR phiale-bearing_JJ cult_NN1 statues_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA in_II the_AT case_NN1 of_IO the_AT earlier_JJR plastic_NN1 images_NN2 ,_, the_AT gods_NN2 '_GE libations_NN2 are_VBR an_AT1 expression_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE divine_JJ nature_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 he_PPHS1 calls_VVZ Daseinsbilder_NP1 :_: "_" images_NN2 of_IO being_VBG ._. "_" 
The_AT scholarly_JJ consensus_NN1 dissolves_VVZ when_CS confronted_VVN with_IW the_AT far_RG more_RGR frequent_JJ representations_NN2 of_IO actively_RR libating_VVG gods_NN2 ._. 
The_AT first_MD is_VBZ the_AT school_NN1 of_IO Eckstein-Wolf_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ Himmelmann_NP1 describes_VVZ as_II an_AT1 elevation_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 literal_JJ interpretation_NN1 of_IO libation_NN1 scenes_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ finds_VVZ in_II the_AT phiale_NN1 a_AT1 symbol_NN1 of_IO the_AT connection_NN1 between_II human_NN1 and_CC god_NN1 ._. 
Even_CS21 if_CS22 one_PN1 concedes_VVZ this_DD1 possibility_NN1 in_II the_AT case_NN1 of_IO individual_JJ divine_JJ figures_NN2 ,_, Himmelmann_NP1 claims_VVZ that_CST it_PPH1 is_VBZ inadequate_JJ for_IF the_AT "_" self-sufficient_JJ ,_, "_" self-contained_JJ world_NN1 of_IO the_AT actively_RR libating_VVG gods_NN2 of_IO vase-painting_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE criticism_NN1 is_VBZ reinforced_VVN by_II the_AT evidence_NN1 from_II antiquity_NN1 :_: Human_JJ beings_NN2 virtually_RR never_RR appear_VV0 with_IW libating_VVG gods_NN2 until_CS the_AT Athenian_JJ reliefs_NN2 of_IO the_AT late_JJ fifth_MD and_CC the_AT entire_JJ fourth_MD centuries_NNT2 ,_, and_CC then_RT they_PPHS2 are_VBR invariably_RR distanced_VVN from_II the_AT offering_NN1 scene_NN1 by_II their_APPGE size_NN1 and_CC servile_JJ attitude_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE main_JJ dispute_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, is_VBZ clearly_RR with_IW Simon_NP1 ._. 
Himmelmann_NN1 insists_VVZ that_CST unique_JJ mythogical_JJ explanations_NN2 for_IF each_DD1 of_IO the_AT major_JJ scenes_NN2 of_IO divine_JJ libation_NN1 are_VBR untenable_JJ for_IF two_MC reasons_NN2 ._. 
The_AT first_MD is_VBZ that_CST there_EX are_VBR so_RG many_DA2 scenes_NN2 on_II vase-paintings_NN2 for_IF which_DDQ myth_NN1 and_CC legend_NN1 do_VD0 not_XX provide_VVI us_PPIO2 with_IW an_AT1 aition_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 concedes_VVZ that_CST in_II myth_NN1 there_RL certainly_RR do_VD0 exist_VVI times_NNT2 when_RRQ gods_NN2 "_" apparently_RR or_CC actually_RR "_" pour_VV0 libations_NN2 on_II occasions_NN2 of_IO prayer_NN1 ,_, oath_NN1 ,_, purification_NN1 ,_, reception_NN1 ,_, departure_NN1 ,_, or_CC carousing_VVG ._. 
But_CCB these_DD2 instances_NN2 do_VD0 not_XX suffice_VVI to_TO explain_VVI the_AT abundance_NN1 (_( or_CC ,_, one_PN1 might_VM add_VVI ,_, the_AT variety_NN1 )_) of_IO images_NN2 that_CST appear_VV0 at_II the_AT beginning_NN1 of_IO the_AT fifth_MD century_NNT1 ._. 
That_DD1 one_PN1 can_VM not_XX always_RR find_VVI a_AT1 narrative_JJ episode_NN1 for_IF each_DD1 one_PN1 of_IO the_AT abundant_JJ number_NN1 of_IO themes_NN2 points_VVZ to_II more_DAR than_CSN just_RR a_AT1 preliminary_JJ deficiency_NN1 in_II Simon_NP1 's_GE approach_NN1 ;_; rather_RR ,_, it_PPH1 indicates_VVZ a_AT1 serious_JJ hermeneutical_JJ breakdown_NN1 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, if_CS one_PN1 recognizes_VVZ that_CST the_AT "_" sacrifice_NN1 of_IO marriage-oath_NN1 "_" for_IF the_AT scenes_NN2 of_IO Zeus_NP1 seated_VVD across_RL from_II Hera_NP1 as_CSA one_MC1 or_CC both_DB2 deities_NN2 pour_VV0 out_RP a_AT1 libation_NN1 ,_, then_RT what_DDQ does_VDZ one_PN1 do_VDI with_IW the_AT presence_NN1 of_IO Athena_NP1 ,_, Apollo_NP1 ,_, or_CC Ares_NP1 ,_, or_CC Nike_NP1 in_II the_AT same_DA scene_NN1 ,_, or_CC with_IW Zeus_NP1 alone_RR ?_? 
The_AT image_NN1 must_VM then_RT be_VBI given_VVN a_AT1 completely_RR different_JJ explanation_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ mythical_JJ episode_NN1 is_VBZ being_VBG portrayed_VVN ?_? 
What_DDQ about_II the_AT libating_JJ Poseidon_NP1 ,_, Ares_NP1 ,_, or_CC Athena_NP1 shown_VVN offering_VVG with_IW an_AT1 unnamed_JJ young_JJ woman_NN1 (_( perhaps_RR Pandrosos_NP1 )_) ?_? 
He_PPHS1 especially_RR cites_VVZ the_AT depiction_NN1 of_IO the_AT four_MC seated_JJ deities_NN2 on_II the_AT pyxis_NN1 in_II Athens_NP1 ,_, arguing_VVG that_CST "_" it_PPH1 does_VDZ not_XX portray_VVI a_AT1 unique_JJ mythological_JJ episode_NN1 ,_, "_" but_CCB rather_RR is_VBZ presumed_VVN "_" to_TO belong_VVI in_II the_AT range_NN1 of_IO timeless_JJ images_NN2 of_IO being_VBG ,_, that_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, images_NN2 of_IO appearance_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II ancient_JJ Greek_JJ vase-paintings_NN2 ,_, Olympian_JJ worship_NN1 seems_VVZ to_TO redound_VVI upon_II the_AT gods_NN2 who_PNQS practice_NN1 it_PPH1 ._. 
If_CS there_EX are_VBR no_AT higher_JJR gods_NN2 in_II sight_NN1 or_CC out_II21 of_II22 sight_NN1 of_IO the_AT ones_NN2 who_PNQS are_VBR offering_VVG ,_, what_DDQ can_VM be_VBI the_AT religious_JJ idea_NN1 behind_II such_DA a_AT1 phenomenon_NN1 ?_? 
Are_VBR the_AT gods_NN2 acting_VVG as_RG human_JJ beings_NN2 do_VD0 ?_? 
If_CS so_RR ,_, do_VD0 they_PPHS2 do_VDI this_DD1 to_TO set_VVI an_AT1 example_NN1 ?_? 
Or_CC do_VD0 the_AT gods_NN2 simply_RR sacrifice_VVI to_II themselves_PPX2 ?_? 
Does_VDZ ritual_NN1 ,_, by_II dint_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE performance_NN1 ,_, subordinate_JJ even_RR the_AT gods_NN2 ?_? 
As_II the_AT preceding_JJ studies_NN2 have_VH0 shown_VVN ,_, the_AT representation_NN1 of_IO gods_NN2 engaged_VVN in_II the_AT performance_NN1 of_IO ritual_NN1 do_VD0 not_XX comprise_VVI an_AT1 isolated_JJ phenomenon_NN1 in_II the_AT ancient_JJ Mediterranean_NP1 ,_, or_CC even_RR in_II the_AT history_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 ._. 
The_AT iconographic_JJ and_CC literary_JJ evidence_NN1 presented_VVD here_RL depicts_VVZ gods_NN2 in_II highly_RR diverse_JJ ,_, if_CS historically_RR linked_VVN religious_JJ traditions_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS themselves_PPX2 are_VBR the_AT agents_NN2 rather_II21 than_II22 the_AT recipients_NN2 of_IO ritual_NN1 ._. 
And_CC there_EX are_VBR others_NN2 beyond_II the_AT scope_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 book_NN1 ._. 
On_II classical_JJ Mayan_JJ vases_NN2 ,_, the_AT gods_NN2 perform_VV0 ritual_JJ blood-letting_NN1 on_II their_APPGE own_DA bodies_NN2 ,_, reiterating_VVG the_AT royal_JJ --_NN1 and_CC universal_JJ --_JJ human_JJ obligation_NN1 to_TO recycle_VVI chul_NN1 and_CC maintain_VVI the_AT cosmos_NN1 ._. 
In_II Buddhist_JJ texts_NN2 ,_, the_AT Buddha_NP1 circumambulates_VVZ the_AT reliquary_NN1 stu-pas_FW of_IO previous_JJ Buddhas_NN2 ._. 
Egyptian_JJ murals_NN2 of_IO the_AT goddess_NN1 Isis_NP1 show_VV0 her_PPHO1 playing_VVG the_AT sistrum_NN1 ,_, the_AT musical_JJ instrument_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE own_DA cult_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 anomalies_NN2 --_JJ mind-bending_JJ "_" exceptions_NN2 "_" to_II transparent_JJ ritual_JJ hierarchies_NN2 --_NN1 reimagine_VV0 the_AT relationship_NN1 between_II gods_NN2 ,_, human_JJ beings_NN2 ,_, and_CC ritual_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 need_VV0 a_AT1 new_JJ theoretical_JJ framework_NN1 for_IF making_VVG sense_NN1 of_IO ritualizing_VVG gods_NN2 ,_, one_PN1 that_CST is_VBZ both_RR historically_RR and_CC theologically_RR intelligible_JJ within_II the_AT traditions_NN2 in_II which_DDQ such_DA gods_NN2 originate_VV0 ._. 
This_DD1 emic_JJ intelligibility_NN1 can_VM not_XX be_VBI overstressed_VVN ,_, for_IF without_IW it_PPH1 ,_, etic_JJ interpretation_NN1 is_VBZ impoverished_JJ ,_, and_CC ultimately_RR fails_VVZ in_II its_APPGE inability_NN1 to_II exegete_NN1 religious_JJ phenomena_NN2 according_II21 to_II22 internal_JJ logical_JJ operations_NN2 ._. 
The_AT myriad_NN1 historical_JJ data_NN of_IO divine_JJ religious_JJ action_NN1 that_CST have_VH0 emerged_VVN in_II this_DD1 book_NN1 show_VV0 the_AT inadequacy_NN1 of_IO projectionist_NN1 theorizing_NN1 ._. 
Anthropomorphism_NN1 ,_, what_DDQ Goitein_NP1 called_VVD in_II the_AT case_NN1 of_IO the_AT paradoxical_JJ prayer_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 ,_, "_" religious_JJ psychology_NN1 ..._... &lsqb;_( since_RR &rsqb;_) Man_NN1 has_VHZ always_RR seen_VVN God_NP1 in_II his_APPGE own_DA image_NN1 ..._... "_" is_VBZ not_XX enough_RR to_TO interpret_VVI that_DD1 prayer_NN1 as_II a_AT1 historical_JJ idea_NN1 ._. 
For_IF even_CS21 if_CS22 ancient_JJ Greek_JJ gods_NN2 --_NN1 or_CC ,_, pace_II Hegel_NP1 and_CC following_VVG Feuerbach_NP1 and_CC Durkheim_NP1 ,_, all_DB gods_NN2 --_NN1 are_VBR ultimately_RR understood_VVN as_CSA products_NN2 of_IO human_JJ consciousness_NN1 or_CC as_CSA hypostases_NN2 of_IO social_JJ values_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 currently_RR privileged_JJ but_CCB unproven_JJ assumption_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 have_VH0 tried_VVN to_TO show_VVI that_DD1 ritualizing_JJ gods_NN2 are_VBR too_RG complex_JJ for_IF projectionist_NN1 theory_NN1 to_TO illumine_VVI completely_RR ;_; there_EX remains_VVZ too_RG much_DA1 in_II their_APPGE deep_JJ structures_NN2 ,_, their_APPGE matrices_NN2 ,_, for_IF which_DDQ we_PPIS2 must_VM account_VVI ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, as_CSA we_PPIS2 have_VH0 seen_VVN ,_, the_AT gods_NN2 '_GE rituals_NN2 are_VBR ,_, ironically_RR ,_, often_RR somewhat_RR "_" unorthodox_JJ "_" (_( such_II21 as_II22 God_NP1 's_GE mikveh_NN1 in_II fire_NN1 ,_, not_XX water_NN1 ,_, in_II the_AT Talmud_NP1 )_) and_CC thus_RR dissimilar_JJ from_II orthodox_JJ human_JJ ritual_JJ prescriptions_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ because_CS the_AT nature_NN1 and_CC agency_NN1 of_IO the_AT gods_NN2 in_II ritual_NN1 always_RR changes_VVZ the_AT ritual_JJ situation_NN1 ,_, and_CC thus_RR the_AT hermeneutical_JJ task_NN1 ._. 
The_AT representation_NN1 of_IO the_AT goddess_NN1 who_PNQS pours_VVZ libations_NN2 --_NN1 or_CC the_AT god_NN1 who_PNQS hangs_VVZ himself_PPX1 as_II a_AT1 sacrifice_NN1 ,_, or_CC circumambulates_NN2 ,_, or_CC purifies_VVZ himself_PPX1 ,_, or_CC prays_VVZ --_NN1 should_VM not_XX be_VBI understood_VVN as_II a_AT1 straightforward_JJ case_NN1 of_IO replacing_VVG the_AT human_JJ agent_NN1 of_IO religious_JJ action_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 divine_JJ one_PN1 ._. 
The_AT utter_JJ difference_NN1 of_IO the_AT divine_JJ as_II a_AT1 category_NN1 affects_VVZ not_XX only_RR the_AT action_NN1 but_CCB also_RR the_AT agency_NN1 of_IO the_AT ritual_NN1 ._. 
Along_II the_AT same_DA lines_NN2 ,_, the_AT didactic_JJ or_CC mimetic_JJ function_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ ascribed_VVN to_II pious_JJ deities_NN2 fails_VVZ to_TO account_VVI for_IF the_AT elements_NN2 of_IO ipseity_NN1 ,_, noncontingency_NN1 ,_, and_CC autonomy_NN1 that_CST chronically_RR characterize_VV0 the_AT holy_JJ ._. 
Whereas_CS ,_, as_CSA Rappaport_NP1 remarks_VVZ ,_, the_AT performance_NN1 of_IO human_JJ ritual_NN1 generally_RR subordinates_NN2 or_CC binds_VVZ the_AT performer_NN1 on_II a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO levels_NN2 --_NN1 that_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, compromises_NN2 her_APPGE freedom_NN1 and_CC negates_VVZ the_AT possibility_NN1 of_IO randomness_NN1 in_II her_APPGE actions_NN2 ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 temporarily_RR --_JJ divine_JJ ritual_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX have_VHI that_DD1 effect_NN1 on_II its_APPGE also_RR divine_JJ performer_NN1 ._. 
