1st Edition
Christian Politics and Religious Culture in Late Antiquity
By Neil McLynn
Copyright 2009
334 Pages
by
Routledge
These essays deal with two central preoccupations: the new styles of political behaviour developed by Christian rulers and Christian congregations during the century or so after Constantine's conversion, and the experiments in religious self-presentation which are reflected in our sources from the same period. The first topic is covered in papers dealing with such activities as outbursts of... Read more
Contents: Preface; Part A Religious/Christian Politics: The transformation of imperial churchgoing in the 4th century; Christian controversy and violence in the 4th century; 'Genere hispanus': Theodosius, Spain and Nicene orthodoxy; Augustine's Roman Empire. Part B Gregory Nazianzen: Cultural Politics in Christian Cappadocia: A self-made holy man: the case of Gregory Nazianzen; The other Olympias: Gregory Nazianzen and the family of Vitalianus; Gregory Nazianzen's Basil: the literary construction of a Christian friendship; Among the hellenists: Gregory and the sophists; Curiales into churchmen: the case of Gregory Nazianzen. Part C Religious Culture: What was the 'Philocalia of Origen'?; The 4th-century Taurobolium; Disciplines of discipleship in late antique education: Augustine and Gregory Nazianzen; Paulinus the Impenitent: a study of the eucharisticos; Index.
Biography
Neil McLynn is University Lecturer in Later Roman History and Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford, UK
’Neil B. McLynn’s book on politics and culture in late antiquity is an invaluable resource tool, offering a rare glimpse of Christian history during the fourth century. ... His work is well researched, amply cited, and should be viewed as a treasure trove of information regarding an often misunderstood period of early Christianity.’ Catholic Books Review
