Description
Book SynopsisA comprehensive review of the development, geographic spread, and cultural influence of religion in Late Antiquity A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity offers an authoritative and comprehensive survey of religion in Late Antiquity. This historical era spanned from the second century to the eighth century of the Common Era. With contributions from leading scholars in the field, the Companion explores the evolution and development of religion and the role various religions played in the cultural, political, and social transformations of the late antique period. The authors examine the theories and methods used in the study of religion during this period, consider the most notable historical developments, and reveal how religions spread geographically. The authors also review the major religious traditions that emerged in Late Antiquity and include reflections on the interaction of these religions within their particular societies and cultures. This important Companion: Brings tog
Table of ContentsList of Figures ix
List of Maps xi
List of Tables xiii
Notes on Contributors xv
Acknowledgments xxi
List of Sources xxiii
List of Abbreviations xlvii
Contents
Introduction 1
Nicholas J. Baker-Brian and Josef Lössl
1 Religion in Late Antiquity—Late Antiquity in Religion 9
Thomas E. Hunt
PART I Historical and Geographical Approaches 31
2 Religion in the Hellenistic and Early Post‐Hellenistic Era 33
Josef Lössl
3 Christianity and Paganism in the Roman Empire, 250–450 ce 61
Mark Humphries
4 The Latin West in the Period of Transition from “the Late Roman Empire” to “Early Medieval Europe”: Consolidation and Innovation 81
Tom O’Loughlin
5 The Celtic and Germanic West and North 99
Bernhard Maier
6 The “Greek East”: Christianization and the Provincial Elites 115
Dirk Krausmüller
7 Caucasia: Albania, Armenia, and Georgia 135
Nikoloz Aleksidze
8 The Rise of Monotheism in Arabia 157
Holger Zellentin
9 Along the Nile: From Alexandria to Aksum 181
Paul Dilley
10 Across the Indian Ocean: Reconsidering Christianity in South Asia to the Ninth Century 207
James M. Hegarty
11 Along the Silk Road: From Aleppo to Chang’an 233
Max Deeg
PART II Traditions and Identities 255
12 The Beginnings of Jewish Late Antiquity: The Fate of the Book of Esther 257
Hector M. Patmore
13 Christianity 277
Augustine Casiday
14 Varieties of Christian Gnosis 297
Timothy Pettipiece
15 A New Religion? The Emergence of Manichaeism in Late Antiquity 319
Nicholas J. Baker‐Brian
16 Paleo‐Islam: Transfigurations of Late Antique Religion 345
Aziz Al‐Azmeh
17 Hermetism 369
Claudio Moreschini
18 The “Pagans” of Late Antiquity 391
Jan R. Stenger
19 Ancient Philosophy Transformed: The Religious Turn in Philosophy 411
Daniel King
20 Astrology and Religion in Late Antiquity 433
Hannah Mace
PART III Themes and Discussions 453
21 Life and Death in Late Antiquity: Religious Rituals and Popular Culture 455
Lucy Grig
22 Religion and the Body: Asceticism 475
Hannah Hunt
23 Demons and Demonologies 493
Sophie Lunn‐Rockliffe
24 Religion, Medicine, and Health 511
Heidi Marx
25 Religion, Warfare, and Demography 529
Mischa Meier
26 The Scriptural Galaxy of Late Antiquity 553
Guy G. Stroumsa
27 Proscription of Sacred Texts in Late Antiquity 571
Mar Marcos
28 Religious Expression in Art and Architecture 591
Emma Loosley
29 Religious Expression in Music and Dance 611
Clemens Leonhard
Index 635
