Diana

This is an excerpt from Sir James George Frazer's monumental *The Golden Bough* (1890), a foundational work of comparative religion and anthropology. Frazer investigates the mysterious priesthood of Diana at Nemi in ancient Italy, where succession to the sacred office required ritual combat to the death. Through comparative analysis of religious customs across cultures, Frazer seeks to explain the origins of this violent practice and its connection to the legendary Golden Bough. Readers should expect a scholarly, methodical examination of ancient religious practices and magical thinking, supported by extensive cross-cultural examples.