Work Page
Horns of Honour, and Other Studies in the By-ways of Archaeology
Editorial Summary
Horns of Honour, and Other Studies in the By-ways of Archaeology (John Murray, London, 1900) is Frederick Thomas Elworthy's cross-cultural study of horns as a religious and symbolic motif across history, archaeology, and folklore, including a dedicated chapter, "Horns of the Devil," on the traditional horned iconography of the Devil, alongside separate studies on the symbolic Hand and sacred discs.
Featured Book from the Editor
Editor’s book by Will Blesch
Go deeper into the hidden history behind angels, Watchers, Nephilim, and non-human intelligence.
In the Shadow of Goliath examines biblical texts, Second Temple traditions, ancient mysteries, and modern high-strangeness reports without reducing the subject to either "ancient aliens" or the claim that all "aliens" are demons.
Why This Book Is in the Directory
One full chapter, “Horns of the Devil,” is a dedicated treatment of the Devil's traditional horned iconography — enough to justify inclusion, though the book's own primary subject is horn symbolism generally, not demonology.
Historical Context
Published in 1900 by John Murray in London, Horns of Honour belongs to the Victorian and Edwardian tradition of antiquarian comparative folklore scholarship, which drew together archaeology, philology, and cross-cultural symbolism to trace how a single motif recurs across widely separated cultures and eras.
What the Author Presents
Elworthy, an established English philologist and folklorist (also known for The Evil Eye, 1895), takes an academic, antiquarian-comparative approach, surveying horn symbolism across multiple cultures and eras rather than focusing on any single tradition.
Intended Reader
Best suited for readers interested in comparative folklore, archaeology of symbolism, and the visual/cultural history of the Devil's iconography specifically. Less suitable for readers seeking a book centrally about demons, angels, or biblical supernaturalism — that material is one chapter among five, not the book's organizing subject.
Strengths and Limitations
A well-documented, continuously-reprinted Victorian-era work of comparative folklore scholarship. Its inclusion in this directory rests specifically on Chapter II, "Horns of the Devil" — real and substantial, but a secondary rather than central match to the directory's core subject.
Edition Disclosure
This directory entry is anchored to Elworthy's 1900 first edition (John Murray, London). The Amazon purchase link below leads to a modern print reprint reproducing the recognizable historical title, not an original 1900 physical copy. Its specific publisher and printing date are unknown. This Work's relevance to the directory rests on one chapter, "Horns of the Devil," not the book as a whole.
Purchase
View a purchasable edition on AmazonBook Facts
| Author | Frederick Thomas Elworthy |
|---|---|
| Qualifying year | 1900 |
| Manifestation type | First edition |
| Language | English |
| Modern Amazon availability | Verified — owner-confirmed |
| ASIN | 1436971578 |