1st Edition

Women and Religion in the First Christian Centuries

By Deborah F. Sawyer Copyright 1996
    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    200 Pages
    by Routledge

    Women and Religion in the First Christian Centuries focuses on religion during the period of Roman imperial rule and its significance in women's lives. It discusses the rich variety of religious expression, from pagan cults and classical mythology to ancient Judaism and early Christianity, and the wide array of religious functions fulfilled by women. The author analyses key examples from each context, creating a vivid image of this crucial period which laid the foundations of western civilization. The study challenges the concepts of religion and of women in the light of post-modern critique. As such, it is an important contribution to contemporary gender theory. In its broad and interdisciplinary approach, this book will be of interest to students of early religion as well as those involved in cultural theory.

    Introduction, Part I The setting—Ancient Greece and Hellenization, Part II Women in narrative and religious practice, Part III Religion and gender, Epilogue, Notes, Bibliography, Index

    Biography

    Deborah F. Sawyer

    'Those attentive to cultural theory and students of early religion may find this well-documented study of interest.' - The Catholic Reporter