Download or read book Spiritual Taxonomies and Ritual Authority written by Heidi Marx-Wolf and published by University of Pennsylvania Press. This book was released on 2016-02-02 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Spiritual Taxonomies and Ritual Authority recounts how philosophers of the late third century C.E. organized the spirit world into hierarchies, positioning themselves as high priests in the process. By establishing themselves as experts on sacred matters, they fortified their authority, prestige, and reputation.