Religions of Late Antiquity in Practice

Richard Valantasis

Princeton University Press, Jun 19, 2000 - History - 511 pages

This is an unprecedented collection of nearly seventy Late Antique primary religious texts. These texts--all in new English translation and many appearing in English for the first time--represent every major religious current from the late first century until the rise of Islam. Produced through the efforts of thirty-six leading scholars in the field, they constitute a comprehensive view of religious practice in Late Antiquity.


Religious life and performance during this period comprised diverse, often unusual practices. Philosophical ascent, magic, legal pronouncement, hymnography, dietary and sexual restriction, and rhetoric were all part of this deeply fascinating world. Religious and political identity often intertwined, as reflected in the Roman persecution of Christians. And a fluid boundary between religion and superstition was contested in daily life. Many practices, including ascetic training, crossed religious boundaries. Others, such as "incubation" at specific temples and certain divination rites, were distinctive practices of individual groups and orders.


Intrinsically interesting, the practice of religion in the Late Antique also edifies modern-day religious life. As this volume shows, the origins of the contemporary Western religious terrain can be gleaned in this period. Rabbinic Judaism flourished and spread. Christianity developed still-important theological categories and structures. And even movements that did not survive intact--such as Neoplatonism and the once-powerful Manichaean churches--continue to influence religion today.


This rich sourcebook includes discussions of asceticism, religious organization, ritual, martyrdom, religion's social implications, law, and theology. Its unique emphasis on practice and its inclusion of texts translated from lesser-known languages advance the study of religious history in several directions. A strong interdisciplinary orientation will reward scholars and students of religion, theology, gender studies, classical literatures, and history. Each text is accompanied by an introduction and a bibliography for further reading and research, making the book appropriate for use in any university or seminary classroom.

Contents

• Megan H Williams: 34
• Porphyry On the Life of Plotinus and the Order of His Books: 50
• 3: 72
• 50: 78
• Basil of Caesarea The Prooemium of the Regulae fusius tractatae: 100
• Sermons of Columbanus: 109
• Talmudic Texts and Jewish Social Life: 133
• Julian the Apostate Against the Galileans Elizabeth Geraldine Burr: 143
• A Thriving Native Cult in the Fifth Century and Its Demise under: 156
• Tales of Holy Fools Derek Krueger: 177
• Nisibis in Ephrems Hymns on Nicomedia: 189
• Scene One David G Hunter: 207
• An Anonymous Letter to a Woman Named Susanna: 218
• A Plea to a Local God for a Husbands Attentions David: 230
• John Chrysostom Sermons on City Life Blake Leyerle: 247
• Laws on Religion from the Theodosian and Justinianic Codes: 263
• The Acts of the Council of Aquileia 381 C E: 275
• Canons of the Council in Trullo 692 C E James C Skedros: 289
• The Mithras Liturgy and Sepher HaRazim Kimberly B Stratton: 303
• Manichaean Ritual Jason David BeDuhn: 316
• The Seal of the Merkavah Michael D Swartz: 322
• Anonymous Spanish Correspondence or the Letter of the Sheass: 330
• Amuletic Invocations of Christ for Health and Fortune: 340
• The Hymns of Ambrose Carl P E Springer: 347
• Hymns to Mary the Mother of God the Theotokos: 357
• Manichaean Hymnody Jason David BeDuhn: 364
• 156: 369
• The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity Maureen A Tilley: 387
• The Martyrs of Lyons Frederick W Weidmann: 398
• The Martyrdom of Habbib the Deacon Robert Doran: 413
• Gregory Nazianzen Homily on the Nativity of Christ: 443
• John of Damascus and the Council of Hiereia: 454
• Asterius of Amasea Ekphrasis on the Holy Martyr Euphemia: 464
• Popular Religious Practices in FifthCentury Egypt: 473
• Manichaean Theology Jason David BeDuhn: 481
• Iamblichus de Mysteriis Book I The de Mysteriis Peter T Struck: 489
• 161: 507

About the author

Richard Valantasis is Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He is the author The Gospel of Thomas and coeditor of Asceticism.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Religions of Late Antiquity in Practice; Volume 1 of Princeton Readings in Religions; Princeton paperbacks
• Author: Richard Valantasis
• Editor: Richard Valantasis
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2000
• ISBN: 0691057516, 9780691057514
• Length: 511 pages
• Subjects: History / Ancient / General; History / World; Religion / Antiquities & Archaeology; Religion / Christian Church / History; Religion / Christianity / History; Religion / History