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This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. The Alter-Imperial Paradigm: Empire Studies and the Book of Revelation Shane J. Wood Submitted in Satisfaction of the Requirements for the Degree of Ph.D. in the University of Edinburgh September 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract Signed Declaration Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction……………. ................................................................................................................. 1 Section 1: The Emergence of the Alter-Imperial Paradigm .......................................................... 34 Chapter 1: The Origins of Empire Studies ...................................................................... 35 Chapter 2: Empire Studies and the Alter-Imperial Paradigm .......................................... 64 Section 2: The Construction of the Sovereign Narrative and Points of Conversation ................... 86 Chapter 3: The Sovereign Narrative of the Roman Empire ............................................. 87 Chapter 4: The Date of the Book of Revelation pt. 1: The External and Internal Evidence ............................................................ 127 Chapter 5: The Date of the Book of Revelation pt. 2: The Socio-Historical Context of the Flavian Dynasty ................................ 156 Section 3: The Alter-Imperial Paradigm and the Book of Revelation ......................................... 222 Chapter 6: An Alter-Imperial Interpretation of Revelation 20:7-10 ............................... 223 Chapter 7: The Alter-Imperial Paradigm: Revelation and Empire Studies ..................... 258 Appendix A: The Relation of Dominance and Resistance from James C. Scott ......................... 294 Appendix B: The Relation of Dominance and Resistance from James C. Scott with Key Elements added by Shane J. Wood ..................................................... 295 Appendix C: The Dynamics of the Subject Narrative ................................................................. 296 Appendix D: Static Propaganda: The Ara Pacis Augustae Altar ................................................. 297 Bibliography of Works Cited ....................................................................................................... 307 ABSTRACT The question “How does Revelation interact with the Roman Empire?” weaves its way through the past 125 years of scholarly research on the Apocalypse. Yet, flawed methodologies, false assumptions, and limited trajectories have led to poor conclusions that posture Revelation as nothing more than a vitriolic attack on the Roman Empire that intends to incite, reveal, and/or remind Christians of imperial evil. This thesis challenges this academic narrative of the Apocalypse through the development and implementation of the Alter-Imperial paradigm. Repositioning the theoretical background of the imperial inquiry around Empire Studies, the Alter-Imperial paradigm applies insights from Postcolonial criticism and “examinations of dominance” to engage the complexities of the relationship between the sovereign(s) and subject(s) of a society—a dynamic far more intricate than either rebellion or acquiescence. From this disposition, various forms of Roman propaganda (from Augustus to Domitian) are explored to surface the Sovereign Narrative saturating the public transcript and immersing the subjects in key messages of absolute dominance, divine favor, and imperial benevolence. The date of Revelation’s composition, then, is established to isolate the socio-historical analysis to the Flavian dynasty, paying particular attention to the viewpoint of the oppressed and the question of “persecution.” The Flavian dynasty’s essential development of an anti-Jewish environment (intensified in Domitian’s reign) offers not only a contentious context for Christian communities—still viewed as indistinguishable from Jewish communities by Roman elite—but also indelible images of imperial propaganda through which subject texts, like Revelation, can interact with the empire. From this vantage point, the Alter-Imperial paradigm offers fresh interpretative possibilities for familiar (and even forgotten) texts, such as Revelation 20:7-10. This enigmatic passage depicts the release of Satan from a 1,000 year imprisonment at a climactic moment in the Apocalypse, and yet, this text is widely neglected in Revelation scholarship. Parallels to Roman triumphal processions (a central element in Flavian propaganda), however, demonstrate that Revelation 20:7- 10 depicts Satan as the bound enemy leader marching in God’s triumphal procession. Nevertheless, the Alter-Imperial paradigm does not stagnate at intriguing textual parallels. Indeed, this interpretation of Revelation 20:7-10 postures the interpreter to poignantly address the question: “How does Revelation interact [not merely subvert] the empire?” Specifically, the use of Roman imagery in the subject text does not necessitate an “anti-imperial” intent, but may simply be the grammar with which the subject text constructs their Alter-Empire. In fact, the Alter-Imperial paradigm suggests that to reduce Revelation to an anti-Roman document intent on the empire’s destruction is to over-exaggerate Rome’s significance in the subject text and, then, to miss its true target—the construction of the Alter-Empire through the destruction of the true enemy, Satan. SIGNED DECLARATION I hereby affirm that I have composed this thesis and that the work is my own. I have not submitted the work for any other degree or professional qualification. ____________________________ _____________________________ Shane J. Wood Date Candidate ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Some tasks appear insurmountable the moment they approach. With the love and support of so many people, this doctoral process was not one of them, but pausing to adequately express gratitude to everyone involved in this accomplishment does strike me as potentially insuperable. Yet, I could not, in good conscience, allow the reader to move into the content of this work without acknowledging that this venture was anything but individual; like many valuable things in life, this project reflects community. First, I would like to thank the administration at Ozark Christian College for being so patient with me throughout this journey. The countless ways in which you encouraged and fostered this process from its inception to its completion could surpass the page count of this volume alone. In particular, Matt Proctor and Doug Aldridge, you have gone above and beyond in your humble support for my family and me. For that, I am truly grateful and blissfully indebted. Thanks also to Meri Rogers and the English Department at Ozark Christian College for the countless pages of editing and revisions, without which this text would read like a “lumpy mattress.” Two individuals deserve special recognition for their tireless endurance and unrequited benevolence: John Hunter and Jessica Scheuermann. Your expertise and professionalism have often left me speechless. So I will say no more than simply: thank you. As a verbal processor, many of my close friends have suffered through countless hours of underdeveloped ideas and observations. Michael DeFazio, Mike Ackerman, and Doug Welch, thank you for taking time out of your crowded lives to spend more than just a few hours poring over the words that follow with insightful questions that reflect your robust acumen. I am honored to call you all colleagues. Josh Huckabay, Josh Quade, and Nathan Horton, please forgive my, at times, aimless musings on topics that you charitably tolerated. Your friendship is one of the great joys of my life. The path of academia begins with challenges and direction proffered by instructors and mentors. In the case of Mark E. Moore and Robert A. Lowery, I had the benefit of both. You saw in me potential and possibilities that proved elusive in my own reflection. You demonstrated the meaning of academicians as churchmen. I miss you both. I hope this makes you proud. I would be remiss if I did not profoundly thank my incredible family. To my mom, Tammy Wood, thank you for loving me when I am difficult and encouraging me to push limits—my own and otherwise. To my dad, David Wood, thank you for being the stable rock for our family that we can look to, rely on, and strive to be like. Your patience is admirable, but your love is treasured. To my older brother, Justin Wood, thank you for reading over every word and meticulously looking up every passage. My invasions of your home for weeks of writing will never be forgotten— by me or by Crystal (thanks sis!). To my younger brother, Jordan Wood, without you, none of this would be possible. Just the mere presence of you and Alexis over the past year increased my endurance at