MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY
AHIS 353 Pagans, Jews, and Christians: Athens and Jerusalem. 3 Credit points
Unit Guide Semester 2 2011
Faculty of Arts Department of Ancient History http://learn.mq.edu.au
1 Part 1 General information
Convener and Lecturer: Mr. Bernard Doherty Email: [email protected] Phone: (2) 9850 6888 Office: W6A 510
Tutor: Helena Bolle Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 9850 6888 Office: W6A 510
For general enquiries
Position: Departmental Administrator Name: Ms. Raina Kim Email: [email protected] Phone: +61 2 9850 8833 Office: W6A 540
2 Part 2. Academic Contents
Credit Points 3
Prerequisite 12 cp.
Unit description
This unit focuses on the theme suggested in the subtitle, taken from Tertullian's question 'What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?' What has the philosophical Academy of Athens, representing the millennia-old Classical tradition, to do with the new 'philosophy' founded on the teachings of Christ, developed by Paul, and embodied in the Holy City, sacred to Jews and Christians? This unit looks in particular at the relationship of the three 'races' ( genoi ): Greeks, Jews, and Christians, from the perspective of the inheritors of the Classical tradition, who ruled the Mediterranean from the Eternal city: Rome.
The unit will examine the ways the Roman state reacted to Jews and Christians from the second to the fourth centuries; from the time when Christianity first came to Rome's attention, through attempts by Rome to remove it (violently or otherwise) from the world, to the 'triumph' of Christianity in the fourth century. It looks at developments in Roman beliefs and cults in the period, problematises the different response of Rome to Jews and Christians, and examines the relationship between the two monotheistic traditions.
Unit outcomes
Students in this Unit will acquire: 1. Knowledge about religious interaction in the Roman world from c. 100 to c. 350 CE. 2. Insight into inter- and intra religious interaction 3. Perspectives on the processes of accommodation and integration inherent in a society in which different ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious groups operated alongside each other 4. Perspectives on how the way we label ancient phenomena, communities, and events, affects our study of them 5. Skills in the use of primary sources for the study of the ancient world 6. Skills for the use of bibliographical resources for the study of the ancient world 7. Skills for the identification of sources of information (such as research tools, databases, and online resources), and problem-solving skills in dealing with these resources 8. Familiarity with treating different types of documents, in order to identify their technical or genre-based aspects, and to extract data from them 9.Familiarity with treating different types of discourses, and to analyse their aims and functions
3
Graduate capabilities
1. Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
2. Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
3. Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
4. Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
5. Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
4 6. Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation’s historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
7. Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
8. Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
9. Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
Part 3. Assessment in this unit
Assessment at a glance
Task Weight Due Date Linked Linked Brief Unit Graduate Description Outcomes Capabilitie s Definitions 5% 19/8 4 2,4 Definitions Assignment (Friday Week 3) Short paper 15% Wednesday 1, 5-7 1-4 Tutorial paper of relevant
5 week (2-13) Tutorial 10% N/A 1-4 5-7 Tutorial Participation Participation
Definitions P/F 12/11 4 4 Definitions Reflection (Friday Week Reflection 13) Major Essay 30% 14/10 1-7 1-6 Major Essay (Friday Week 12) Exam 40% Exam period 1-7 2-6 Exam
Assessment Tasks
Definitions Assignment
Weighting: 5% Due: 19 August
In no more than 200 words, give your understanding of the terms ‘religion’, ‘pagan’, ‘Jew’, and ‘Christian’. Tell us how you understood these terms when you started the course, not after you heard the introductory lectures. It is not necessary to provide any references for these assignments, and we do not expect you to do any research for them: we simply wish to find out how what you think these terms mean. The mark for this assignment will largely be based on spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and sentence construction. You will lose .25 of a mark for each error you make in these areas. Thus it is an exercise in proof reading and presentation, as well as an opportunity for you to consider how you understand what we will be studying this semester.
Short Paper
Weighting: 15% Due: Friday of the relevant week
Choose one week from weeks 2-13. In no more than 600 words, address the ‘questions for discussion’ in that week’s study guide. Focus on the primary sources for each week and base you answers upon them. This does not mean you should ignore the modern literature listed in the study guide, but that the primary focus of the paper should be on your reactions to the ancient sources.
In its presentation, style of referencing and bibliography, this paper should conform to the requirements for a major essay, see below.
6 Major Essay
Weighting: 30% Due:14 October
In no more than 2500 words, address one of the questions below. This is a maximum word limit, and essays which exceed it will not be viewed favourably, and will attract a 5% penalty for every 100 extra words after they pass 2750 (i.e. you are allowed to exceed by 10%, but try not to – if you reach 2850, you will be penalised). Extensions will be granted only in documented cases of misadventure or illness. Essays submitted late without prior applications for extension will attract a penalty of 2% of the mark per day they are late.
It is important to base your essay on primary sources, and to compile your own list of up-to-date secondary reading. Do not pick a question which has too much ground to cover, and do not hesitate to approach the lecturer or tutor for guidance over your essay at any stage.
Essays must be accompanied by a bibliography of the primary sources and modern works used. They must be referenced according to one of the accepted conventions, that is, footnotes, endnotes, or ‘in-text’ referencing. In general, footnotes are the preferred and usual method for such work. The presentation of the essay should follow accepted scholarly practice. A general guide to ‘Essay Presentation & Conventions: Style Guide’ is available from the Ancient History Website at: http://www.anchist.mq.edu.au/ (click on ‘Teaching materials’, to the left, then see ‘Essay Presentation Guides’), and this should be followed.
Essay Questions
1. How did the response of the Roman State to Christians develop from the second to third century?
2. How do inscriptions illustrate the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor down to the time of Constantine? How does this compare with the account given in the literary sources?
3. Why were Jews not persecuted as Christians were in the Roman Empire?
4. How do papyri illustrate the spread of Christianity in Egypt down to the time of Constantine? How does this compare with the account given in literary sources?
5. On what grounds did second and third century Graeco-Roman intellectuals attack Christianity? How did Christians respond?
6. What were the background to and causes of the State-Sponsored actions against Christians in the third and fourth centuries? How did they effect the Christian community?
7 7. What is ‘paganism’ in the context of the Roman Empire? How useful is the word and the concept in the study of the period?
Definitions Reflection
Weight: 0 (Pass/Fail) Due: 11 November
In no more than 200 words, reflect on how, if at all, your understanding of the terms ‘religion’, ‘pagan’, ‘Jew’, and ‘Christian’ has changed during the course. How do you understand the terms now? If your opinion on what they signify has changed, what factors caused this? Do you think they are useful terms in the study of the Roman Empire?
NB. This assessment has no weighting, but any student that does not submit it will fail the unit.
Discussion Group Participation
Weighting: 10%
Students are expected to participate in the online Discussion forum on the Unit Blackboard page on the basis of listening to the lectures and their weekly readings. This means they are required to post to the web discussion tool in reference to the ‘Questions for Discussion’ listed for each week in the study guides.
Students must participate at least in 6 weeks of the online Discussion forum in order for their contributions to be fully taken into consideration.
The mark for the participation will be based on the quality of the online postings, which will be evaluated according to the Instructions below.
Instructions for the discussion posting
Discussion postings should have about 75-100 words. Try not to make them much longer. Please do not send them as an attachment to an e-mail, but e-mail directly to the discussions tools of the website. It is not necessary for you to address every point in the ‘Questions for Discussion’. You are also welcome to address other issues not asked by these questions, as long as they have arisen from the readings. Strive to be clear and consistent in your thoughts, use standard spelling and punctuation (so as not to detract from the contents of your contribution), use paragraphs if necessary, and check one final time before hitting the “send” button.
Note that the online discussion forum participation will count for 10% of your total mark. Non-participation may result in a difference of an entire letter grade. If you have technical problems with participating in online discussion group, please let me know as early as possible.
8
Examination(s)
There will be a two (2) hour examination during the exam period at the end of semester. You will be required to write four essays chosen from among 12 questions, the first of which will be compulsory. Further guidance on the exam will be provided in the final lecture. If you are not able to sit the exam, you may submit a further 3000 word essay by the date of the exam. That date, and the topic for the essay, will be advertised later in the semester.
Assignment submission
Tutorial Papers must be submitted at the relevant tutorial.
The Major Essay , Definitions Assignment , and Definitions Reflection Task must be submitted to the AHIS 253 Box on the ground floor of W6A.
All Assignments must include an Arts assignment cover sheet, a heading that identifies the question addressed. Copies of the cover sheet may be found on the ground floor of W6A or can be downloaded from:
www.arts.mq.edu.au/documents/Student_Assessment_Coversheet.pdf.
Assignments must be double or one and a half line spaced
Extensions and penalties
Extensions will be granted only in documented cases of misadventure or illness. Assessments submitted late without prior application for extension will attract a penalty of 10% of the mark for the first day late and 10% per-week thereafter beginning on Sunday.
Returning assignments
All assessment will be returned in tutorials. Any that is not picked up from there will be left forcollection in the Arts Student Centre on the ground floor of W6A.
If you believe that your assessment task has been lost, please contact the Student Enquiry Office on the Ground Floor of W6A. Your claim will be logged and tracked in a database of lost assignment claims and kept on file for up to five years.
Part 4. Delivery and resources
Delivery:
Day
9 This unit will use:
Blackboard
Times and Locations for Lectures and Tutorials For current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetables website: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/Scientia/Web/index.html There will be two one-hour lectures per week, on Wednesday 8:00 AM in W5C 335 and on Friday at 9 AM in W5C335
Required and recommended resources
The prescribed textbook for this unit is Ramsay Macmullen and Eugene N. Lane, Paganism And Christianity, 100-425 C.E.: A Sourcebook (Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 1992) available through the Macquarie University Co-Op Bookstore. Weekly readings will be taken from this, as well as from a Book of Readings , which must also be purchased from the Bookshop.
Also extremely useful is J. Stevenson, A New Eusebius (London: SPCK, 1987) which is available for purchase from the Bookshop and is highly recommended though not compulsory.
Robin Lane Fox, Pagans and Christians (London: Penguin, 2006 [new edition]) provides a readable and informative narrative of the historical themes on which this unit focuses. It is recommended that students also purchase this if they are able.
As frequent recourse will be made to papyri and inscriptions contained in the series New Documents illustrating Early Christianity , students should consider purchasing these volumes, which contain texts, translations, commentary and bibliography on hundreds of texts which bear on the themes of the unit. Any or all of volumes 4-7 may be purchased at extremely discounted rates from the department; details will be given in the first lecture. These cannot be posted, but if you are able to come to Macquarie, you may pick them up.
Frequent recourse will be made to the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius of Caesarea, the first ever work of ‘Christian History’, written at the close of the period this course deals with. A readily available version of this work is published in Penguin Classics: Eusebius, The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine, trans. G.A. Williamson (London & New York, 1989). Students who are able to purchase this will find it useful, but a reasonable translation is also available on-line, at: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.html.
10 Unit Website
The unit web site (in Blackboard) contains the following important tools:
• A discussion tool, where you will participate in the discussion forum. The discussion group can also be used to ask questions of the lecturer and tutor and the group, and start further discussions brought up by the themes of the unit. • An e-mail tool which can be used for one-to-one communication between students and the lecturer and tutor. We will also use this for bulk emails of important information and deadlines. Please send e-mail communication concerning the unit via this mail tool rather than sending it to our usual e-mails. This will make it easier to keep track of the mail which pertains to this particular unit. • Links to useful internet resources. • Copies of the study guides for the unit in pdf-format. • The iLecture tool from which students can listen to or download the audio recordings of the lectures. • NB: We will not be using the ‘Assignments’ tool in the Blackboard site.
Accessing the Website
To access the unit Blackboard page:
Go to the Online Teaching facility at http://learn.mq.edu.au
Once you login, this unit will be among those displayed.
The direct web address of the unit is: https://learn.mq.edu.au/webct/logon/624710158021
If you login form here, you will be taken directly to the Unit Blackboard page.
Internet Resources
The WWW contains many valuable resources for this unit, in addition to texts made available through E-Reserve, and the many journals and other modern discussions accessible via the library’s web-site and elsewhere. I list here only some, and would be happy to have others which students have found useful brought to my attention. A consolidated set of hotlinks to these and other Internet resources can be found on the Unit Blackboard site.
The full translated text of the majority of the primary (ancient) sources used in the course can be found online. This applies especially to literary texts, such as Jewish writers, Christian apologists, Ecclesiastical historians, and other patristic writers (Church Fathers), as well as Graeco-Roman authors (including in some cases Anti- Christian polemicists). There are also many online resources for the use and study of documentary sources, especially papyri. In some cases the online translation may
11 not be the most up-to-date, or that reproduced in the Book of Readings, but it will be serviceable for the needs of this course. This means that there is very little excuse for not being able to read or cite most such texts.
Translations of Early Christian and Jewish writers http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/ http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/fathers/ http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/
Classical Greek and Latin Texts http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/home.html http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus:collection:Greco- Roman
Material downloaded or cited from the Web (other than the Website of this unit) should always be listed in your bibliography with reference to its full title, Web address and the date on which you accessed the web-site.
NB : Be very careful when using material from the web. Only use material from reputable websites set up by universities, museums/galleries, reputable scholars or associations, etc. In particular, it should be clearly understood that the use of general and non-specialist on-line encyclopaedias will not be any better received than use of printed versions (e.g. Encyclopaedia Britannica), and neither is acceptable. The use of material from unscholarly and uncritical websites may result in the deduction of marks.
Lecture times and locations
There will be two one-hour lectures per week, delivered electronically on CD-ROM. They an also be downloaded from the ilecture system (see ‘iLecture’ in the left hand menu of the Blackboard site).
On Campus study day 12 September
There is an on-campus study day for external students on Saturday 12 th September , attendance of which is compulsory . Students should sign on at the Centre for Open Education in building X5B and come to W6A307/8 (Ancient History Documentary Research Centre Seminar Room) by 9.30 AM. The day’s program will include discussion of tutorial themes, and an opportunity to discuss your major essay. You will be free to leave c. 4.30 pm.
12 Part 5. Policies and procedures
Macquarie University has a range of policies that relate to learning and teaching, including
• Assessment • Unit guide • Special consideration
They can be found at Policy Central (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/).
Macquarie's procedures relating to plagiarism can be found at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/
Feedback and unit evaluation
In this unit you will receive a range of verbal and written feedback on your assessment tasks and work in class or online.
To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning, the Faculty of Arts also seeks feedback from students. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through unit and teacher evaluation surveys. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied with and areas for improvement. The Faculty of Arts also holds two student feedback meetings per year. Please watch for advertisements for these meetings and take the opportunity to share your suggestions for improvement. At present, the Faculty is prioritising feedback on assessment and feedback.
Part 6. Unit schedule
Week Date Lecture Discussion 1 3/8 Introduction: The historical context; Introductions the question of ‘Religion’.
5/8 Introduction II: Further Definitions: ‘Paganism’, ‘Judaism’, ‘Christianity’ 2 10/8 The Imperial cult in the 1 st –3rd Graeco-Roman belief and cult centuries
Lecturer: Prof. Paul McKechnie. 12/8 Local cult in the Roman empire 3 17/8 Roman and Hellenic cults in the Judaism, proselytes, and Godfearers Roman empire
Lecturer: Prof. Alanna Nobbs 19/8
13
Judaism in the Roman Empire 4 24/8 Jewish revolts against Roman rule Roman views of Judaism in the 2 nd and Lecturer: Dr. Stephen Llewellyn. 3rd centuries
26/8 Jewish revolts against Roman rule II Lecturer: Dr. Stephan Llewellyn 5 31/8 Romans, Jews, and Christians in The Imperial cult and early Roman the 1 st –3rd centuries reactions to Christianity 2/9 Christians, Jews, and Greeks in the 2 nd –3rd centuries 6 7/9 No Lecture No Discussion
9/9 No Lecture Remember : On Campus Study Day 12/9 7 14/9 Christians and the Roman state in Christians and the Roman state in 3 rd the 2 nd –3rd century century papyri
16/9 Sacred places and Sacred Space Semester break (2 weeks) 8 5/10 Christians and the Roman state in Christian responses to Roman the 3 rd century oppression
7/10 Sacred texts and Sacred Text 9 12/10 The ‘Great Persecution’ The Martyrdom of Phileas
14/10 ‘The Birth of Christianity’ 10 19/10 Christianity in the papyri Signs of Religion in papyrus letters and funeral epitaphs. Lecturer: Dr. Malcolm Choat.
21/10 Christianity in the inscriptions 11 26/10 Other Currents: Gnosticism, Magic and ritual Hermeticism, and Magic
28/10 Other Currents: Manichaeism Lecturer: Gunner Mikkelsen 12 2/11 Philosophy and Christianity: The intellectual reaction to Christianity Origen
4/11 Philosophy and Christianity II: Porphyry and Iamblichus 13 9/11 The new world: traditional religion Neoplatonism and Christianity and Christianity in the fourth
14 century
12/11 ‘A World Full of Gods’
15 General Bibliography
† = In Special Reserve. * 3-Day loan. For Documents on E-Reserve, see the Weekly Study Guides. = Provided by Lecturer via Blackboard.
The following is a general unit bibliography: readings specific to each week’s topic will be found in the weekly study guides.
(1) Important Reference Works
There are numerous reference works on early Christianity and this period. Due to the often sporadic quality of these works here is a list of worthwhile reference works. All these are in English except the DACL (French), RAC (German) and Harnack’s Geschichte der altchristlichen Litteratur bis Eusebius (German).
Susan Ashbrook Harvey and David G. Hunter, The Oxford handbook of early Christian studies (Oxford: OUP, 2008). BR121.3 .O99 2008 [Main Collection]
Angelo di Berardino, Encyclopaedia of the early church (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992) BR 66.5.D5813/1992 [Reference Collection]
Fernand Cabrol et al., Dictionnaire d'archéologie chrétienne et de liturgie (Paris : Letouzey, 1907-) BR95.C2 [Reference Collection] in French.
F.L. Cross & E.A. Livingstone, The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford: OUP, 1997) BR95.O8/1997 [Reference Collection]
Hubertus Drobner, The fathers of the church : a comprehensive introduction (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Press, 2007) BR67.D7613 2007 [Main Collection]
Mircea Eliade et al., The Encyclopedia of Religion (New York: MacMillan, 1986-). BL31.E46/1986 [Reference Collection]
Everett Ferguson, Encyclopaedia of early Christianity (New York: Garland Publishers, 1997) BR162.2.E53/1997 [Reference Collection]
Adolf von Harnack, Geschichte der altchristlichen Litteratur bis Eusebius (Leipzig: J.C. Hinrichs, 1958). BR67.H35 1958 [Main Collection] in German.
Theodor Klauser et al. Reallexikon fu r̈ Antike und Christentum (Stuttgart : Hiersemann, 1950-) BR131.R4 [Refrence Collection] – in German.
Johannes Quasten, Patrology (Utrecht: Spectrum, 1950-1986). BR67.Q3 [Reference Collection]
16 Henry Wace & William C. Piercy, A Dictionary of early Christian Biography (London: John Murray, 1911). BR95.W3 [Reference Collection] *** This is a dated work but still a good place to begin ***
(2) Collections of documents
C.K. Barrett, New Testament Background: Selected Documents , revised ed. (London 1987) DS122.N48.
*G. Clarke, The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage (New York 1984-1989) BR 60.A35 vols 43-47.
†L.H. Feldman & M. Reinhold, Jewish Life and Thought among Greek and Romans (Edinburgh 1996) DS102.J45
M. Harding Early Christian Life and thought in Social Context: A Reader (London & New York 2003)
G.H.R. Horsley or S.R. Llewelyn, New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity Vols I - IX (Sydney 1981-2002) PA810.H6.
H.C. Kee, The Origins of Christianity: Sources and Documents (Englewood Cliffs 1973) BR129.K44.
†R. Macmullen and E.N. Lane, Paganism And Christianity, 100-425 C.E.: A Sourcebook (Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 1992).
M. Reinhold, Diaspora: The Jews among the Greeks and Romans (Toronto 1983).
J. Shiel, Greek Thought and the Rise of Christianity (Harlow 1968) BR128.G8.S5.
†M. Stern, Greek and Latin Authors on Jews & Judaism , Vol. I, From Herodotus to Plutarch (Jerusalem 1974), Vol. II, From Tacitus to Simplicius DS102.G7.
†J. Stevenson, A New Eusebius: Documents Illustrating the History of the Church , revised ed. (London 1987) BR160.A2.N49.
†V.A. Tcherikover, Corpus Papyrorum Judaicarum , Vol. II (Cambridge, Mass. 1960) DS135.E4.T35.
M. Whittaker, Jews and Christians: Graeco-Roman Views (Cambridge 1984) DS115.5.W48.
*M. Williams, The Jews among the Greeks and Romans : a diasporan sourcebook (Baltimore, Md. : Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998) DS122 .J49/1998
V.Wimbush, Ascetic Behavior in Greco-Roman Antiquity: A Sourcebook (Minneapolis 1990) BR5023.A73.
17 (3) Jewish and Greek Culture in New Testament Times
Daniel Boyarin, Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007).
Daniel Boyarin, Dying for God: Martyrdom and The Making of Christianity and Judaism (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1999).
R.L. Brawley, Luke-Acts and the Jews: Conflict, Apology and Conciliation (Atlanta 1987) BS2589.B73.
M.R. D'Angelo, Moses in the Letter to the Hebrews (Missoula 1979) BS580.M6.D33
M. Avi-Yonah, The Jews of Palestine: A Political History from the Bar Kokhba War to the Arab Conquest (Oxford 1976) DS123.5.A943.
F.G. Downing, Cynics and Christian Origins (Edinburgh 1992) BR128.G8.D68.
J.D.G. Dunn, The Partings of the Ways between Christianity and Judaism (London 1991) BR195.J8.D86.
*M. Goodman, ed. Jews in a Graeco-Roman world (Oxford 1998) DS 122.J53
M. Goodman, Who was a Jew? (Oxford 1989)
E.S. Gruen, Diaspora : Jews amidst Greeks and Romans (Cambridge, MA ; London : Harvard University Press, 2002.) DS122 .G78
L.H. Feldman, Jew and Gentile in the Ancient World: Attitudes and Interactions from Alexander to Justinian (Princeton 1993).
L.H. Feldman and G. Hata (eds), Josephus, Judaism and Christianity (Leiden 1987) DS115.9.J6.J66.
J.G. Gager, Moses in Greco-Roman Paganism (Nashville 1972) BS580.M6.G26.
P. W. van der Horst, Ancient Jewish epitaphs : an introductory survey of a millennium of Jewish funerary epigraphy (300 BCE-700 CE) (Kampen, the Netherlands : Kok Pharos Pub. House, c1991). DS111.1 .H66/1991.
L.D. Hurst, The Epistle to the Hebrews: Its Background of Thought (Cambridge 1990) BS2775.2.H87.
B.H. Isaac, The Near East under Roman rule (New York : Brill, 1998) DS62.2. I85/1998
A. Kasher, The Jews in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt: The Struggle for Equal Rights (Tübingen 1985) DS135.E42.A43413.
†I. Levinskaya, The Book of Acts in its First Century Setting : Vol. 5 Diaspora Setting (Eerdmans 1996) BS2625.2.L47
18 *J. Lieu, Image and Reality (T & T Clark, 1996) BM177.L54
*J. Lieu et al. (eds), The Jews among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire (London 1992) BM 177.J49.
S. McKnight, A Light Among the Gentiles: Jewish Missionary Activity in the Second Temple Period (Philadelphia 1990) BM176.M38
R.J. Maddox, The Purpose of Luke-Acts (Edinburgh 1982) BS2625.3.M3.
J.M. Reynolds and R. Tannenbaum, Jews and God-fearers at Aphrodisias (Cambridge 1987) DS135.T82.A637.
D. Rokeah, Jews, Pagans and Christians in Conflict (Jerusalem 1982) BR127.R577.
E.P. Sanders, Paul, the Law and the Jewish People (London 1985) BT96.2.S2.
E.P. Sanders, Judaism: Practice and Belief 63 BCE - 66 CE (Philadelphia 1992) BM176.S257.
J.T. Sanders, The Jews in Luke-Acts (London 1987) BS2545.J44.S258.
S. Safrai and M. Stern, The Jewish People in the First Century (Assen 1974-76) DS122.J48.
Peter Schäfer, Judeophobia : attitudes toward the Jews in the ancient world (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1997).
L.H. Schiffman, Who Was a Jew? Rabbinic and Halakhic Perspectives on the Jewish - Christian Schism (Hoboken 1985) BM501.2.S3.
A.F. Segal, Paul the Convert: the Apostolate and Apostasy of Saul the Pharisee (New Haven 1990) BS2665.J4.S44.
A.F. Segal, Rebecca's Children: Judaism and Christianity in the Roman World (Harvard 1986) BR.165.S495.
J.N. Sevenster, Paul and Seneca (Leiden 1961) B618.S4.
E.M. Smallwood, The Jews under Roman Rule (Leiden 1976) BM40.S78, vol. 20.
P. Trebilco, Jewish Communities in Asia Minor (Cambridge 1991) DS135.T8T67.
S. Westerholm, Israel's Law and the Church's Faith: Paul and his Recent Interpreters (Grand Rapids 1988) BS2655.F2.W44.
†Y. Yadin, Bar Kokhba: The Rediscovery of the Legendary Hero of the Last Jewish Struggle against Rome (London 1971) DS 122.9.Y3.
19 (4) Christians in the Graeco-Roman and Jewish worlds in the first 3 centuries
G. Bowersock, Martyrdom and Rome (Cambridge: Cambridge University OPRess, 1995). BR1604.2 .B68 1995.
Henry Chadwick, The early Church (London : Penguin, 1993).
J.G. Davies, The Early Christian Chuch: A History of Its First Five Centuries (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1965).
W.H.C. Frend, The Rise of Christianity (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984).
R.M. Grant, Augustus to Constantine: the Thrust of the Early Christian Movement into the Roman World (London 1971) BR165.G66.
†R. Lane Fox, Pagans and Christians (New York 1987) BR 128.R7.L36
R. MacMullen, Christianising the Roman Empire AD 100-400 (New Haven 1984) BR195.E9.M33.
Christoph Markschies, Between Two Worlds: Structures of Earliest Christianity (London: SCM Press, 1999).
R.A. Markus, Christianity in the Roman World (London 1974) BR170.M36.
Paul McKechnie, The First Christian Centuries: Perspectives on the early Church (Leister: IVP Press, 2001).
R.L. Wilken, The Christians as the Romans Saw Them (New Haven 1984) BL2756.W.54.
M. Sordi, The Christians and the Roman Empire (London 1986) BR170.S713.
W.H.C. Frend, Martyrdom and Persecution from the Maccabees to Donatus (Oxford 1967) BR604.2.F7.
†R. Selinger, The Mid-Third Century Persecutions of Decius and Valerian (Frankfurt am Main 2002) BR1604.23.S45
Gerard Valleé, The shaping of Christianity : the history and literature of its formative centuries (100-800) (New York: Paulist Press, 1999).
(5) Roman And Greek Religion
†M. Beard, J. North, S. Price, Religions of Rome (2 vols) (1998).
20 S. Williams, Diocletian and the Roman Recovery (London 1985) DG 313.W54.
†R. Lane Fox, Pagans and Christians (New York 1987) BR 128.R7.L36
L. de Blois, The Policy of the Emperor Gallienus (Leiden 1976) DG 307.5.B5713.
*A. Brent, The imperial cult and the development of church order : concepts and images of authority in paganism and early Christianity before the Age of Cyprian (Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 1999.) BV648 .B73
G.S. Dundas Pharaoh, basileus and imperator : the Roman imperial cult in Egypt (Ann Arbor, Mich. : University Microfilms International, 1993) DG124 .D86
*D. Fishwick, The imperial cult in the Latin West : studies in the ruler cult of the western provinces of the Roman Empire . (Leiden ; New York : E.J. Brill, 1987) BL805 .F58
D.L. Jones, ‘Christianity and the Roman Imperial Cult’, ANRW II.23.2 (1980) 1023- 1054
Ramsay MacMullen, Paganism in the Roman Empire (New Haven : Yale University Press, 1981)
S.R.F. Price, Rituals and power : the Roman imperial cult in Asia Minor (Cambridge :Cambridge University Press, 1984) DG124 .P74.
*J.B. Rives, Religion and authority in Roman Carthage from Augustus to Constantine (Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1995). BL813.C37 .R58
James B. Rives, Religion in the Roman Empire (Oxford: Blackwell, 2007)
K.Scott, The imperial cult under the Flavians (New York : Arno Press, 1975). DG124 .S35
Robert Turcan, The cults of the Roman Empire (Oxford: Blackwell, 1996)
(6) Philosophical disputes
E.F. Osborn, The Beginning of Christian Philosophy (Cambridge 1981) BR67.O8.
J. Miller, Measures of Wisdom: The Cosmic Dance in Classical and Christian Antiquity (Toronto 1986) BL605.M55.
*E.R. Dodds, Pagan and Christian in an Age of Anxiety (Cambridge 1965) BL53.D6.
21 G. Fowden, The Egyptian Hermes: A Historical Approach to the Late Pagan Mind (Cambridge 1986) BF1591.F75.
Pierre Hadot, What is Ancient Philosophy? (Cambridge MA: Belknap Press, 2002).
H. Chadwick, Early Christian Thought and the Classical Tradition (Oxford 1966) BR67.C43.
E.A. Isichei, Political Thinking and Social Experience: Some Christian Interpretations of the Roman Empire from Tertullian to Salvian (Christchurch 1964) BR170.I8.
T.D. Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius (Cambridge, Mass. 1981) DG315.B35.
R.J. Penella, Greek Philosophers and Sophists in the Fourth Century AD (Leeds 1990) B171.P46.
*G.W. Bowersock, Hellenism in Late Antiquity (Cambridge 1990) DF240.B69.
P. Chuvin, A Chronicle of the Last Pagans (Cambridge, Mass. 1990) BR128.R7.C58.
J. Neusner, Judaism and Christianity in the Age of Constantine (Chicago 1987) BM535.J822.
A. Momigliano, The Conflict Between Paganism and Christianity in the Fourth Century (Oxford 1963) BR205.M6.
(6) Retrospect
R.L. Rike, Apex Omnium: Religion in the Res Gestae of Ammianus (Berkeley 1987) DG206.A4.R55.
J. Matthews, The Roman Empire of Ammianus (London 1989) DG316.7.M38.
P. Brown, Augustine of Hippo: A Biography (London 1969) BR1720.A9.B7.
R.A. Markus, Saeculum: History and Society in the Theology of St Augustine (Cambridge 1970, 2nd ed. 1988) BR65.A9.M33.
*R.A. Markus, The End of Ancient Christianity (Cambridge 1990) BR219.M37.
22
Week 1
Tertullian, De praescriptione haereticorum vii (34) 9,12 (late 2 nd Century).
Quid ergo Athenis et Hierosolymis? What does Athens have to do with quid Academiae et ecclesiae? Jerusalem, quid haereticis et christianis? the Academy with the assembly, ...(iv) nobis curiositate opus non est or heretics with Christians? post Christum Iesum ...(iv) we have no need of speculation nec inquisitione post evangelium. since Christ Jesus, nor of enquiry since the gospel.
Lectures
The opening two lectures will start us on our path to putting Tertullian’s criticisms in context. The heretics have gone for Greek culture (not Roman religion). Athens stands for the Academy (not the Parthenon). But philosophical interpretation has been superseded by an historical development (‘since...’), Christ’s ‘assembly’, a socio-cultural formation whose type is a city (Jerusalem). So it is to be a struggle over ideas of the world, but fought out in daily life. But this struggle was yet to come: first we must understand the background by looking at Jewish, Greek and Roman culture in the first century CE.
In Lecture 1 (5/8) we will set out the historical context and ask what ‘religion’ means in a Roman context. In Lecture 2 (7/8) we will continue to consider definitions: what are ‘Paganism’, ‘Judaism’, and ‘Christianity’?
Discussion
This week is introductory, and there is no set reading. There are no questions for this week: please visit the unit website and introduce yourself briefly to your fellow students; tell us a little about yourself, why you took this unit; and what you hope to get out of it.
You should also familiarise yourself with the material we are to study by reading some of the general treatments in the Unit bibliography above. You should also begin your reading for the tutorial in Week 2.
Remember: Definitions Assignment due in Week 3 (19/8)!
23 Week 2
Lectures
This week we will examine the cults with which Christianity and Judaism were to compete in the Graeco-Roman world of the early centuries of the common era. Lecture 3 (12/8) will deal with traditional Hellenic and Roman cults. In Lecture 4 (14/8) we will turn our attention to the local cults which flourished in towns, villages, and homes throughout the empire.
Tutorial: Graeco-Roman belief and cult
Reading
MacMullen & Lane, Paganism and Christianity , pp. 29-74, 79-105.
Question for discussion:
With reference to the sources in MacMullen & Lane, what do you believe to be the most important features of Graeco-Roman cult?
Further Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
*Ferguson, John, The religions of the Roman Empire ([London] : Thames and Hudson, [1970]). BL802 .F4. pp. 132-149; 265-66.
*Lee, A. D., Pagans and Christians in late antiquity : a sourcebook (New York :Routledge, 2000). BR128.R7 L44 2000. pp. 15-48.
*MacMullen, R., Christianizing the Roman Empire (A.D. 100-400). (New Haven and London., 1984). BR195.E9.M33. pp. 10-16, 125-129.
*Martin, Luther H., ‘The Pagan religious background’ in Early Christianity: Origins and Evolution to AD 600: In Honour of W.H.C. Frend , ed. I. Hazlett, 1991 , 52-64 .
*Momigliano, Arnaldo, ‘Roman Religion: The Imperial Period" in On Pagans, Jews and Christians ( 1987), 178-201.
*Stowers , Stanley, ‘Greeks who Sacrifice and those who did not: towards an Antropology of Greek religion’, in L. Michael White and O. Larry Yarbrough (edd.) The social world of the first Christians : essays in honor of Wayne A. Meeks (Minneapolis : Fortress Press, c1995). BS2545.S55 .S63/1995. pp. 293-333.
24 Week 3
Lectures
This week we will finish our overview of Roman cult by looking in Lecture 5 (19/8) at the Imperial cult. In Lecture 6 (21/8) we will survey Judaism in the early Roman Empire.
Tutorial: Judaism, proselytes, and Godfearers
Reading
Book of Readings, pp. 6-19
Questions for Discussion
Based on the sources in the Book of Readings:
• To what extent do Graeco-Roman writers think the Jews were proselytising? • What motives do they impute to the Jews in doing this? • How does this compare to the Jewish attitude to converts to Judaism?
Further Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
*Cohen, Shaye, ‘The Political and Social History of the Jews in Greco-Roman Antiquity: The State of the question’, in Robert A. Kraft and George W.E. Nickelsburg (edd.), Early Judaism and its modern interpreters (Atlanta, Ga : Scholars Press, 1986). BM176 .E18/1986. pp. 33-56.
Feldman, L.H. and G. Hata (eds), Josephus, Judaism and Christianity (Leiden 1987) DS115.9.J6.J66.
* Goodman, M., ‘Jewish proselytizing in the first century’, in Lieu, J. , North, J. & Rajak, T. (edd.), The Jews among Pagans and Chrisitans (London & New York, Routledge, 1992), 53-78.
*Gruen, E.S., Diaspora : Jews amidst Greeks and Romans (Cambridge, MA ; London : Harvard University Press, 2002.) DS122 .G78. pp. 232-252.
†Levinskaya, Irina, The Book of Acts in its First Century Setting : Vol. 5 Diaspora Setting (Eerdmans, 1996). BS2625.2.L47. pp. 1-17, 9-49, 51-126.
◊◊◊Lieu, J. et al. (eds), The Jews among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire (London 1992) BM 177.J49.
*Lieu, Judith, Image and reality : the Jews in the world of the Christians in the second century. (Edinburgh : T. & T. Clark, 1996). BM177 .L54. pp 1-21.
25 *Lieu, Judith, ‘The Race of the God Fearers’, in Neither Jew nor Greek? : constructing early Christianity (Edinburgh; New York : T & T Clark, 2002) 49-68.
*McGing, Brian, ‘Population and proselytism: How many Jews were there in the Ancient World’, in Jews in the Hellenistic and Roman Cities , ed. J.R. Bartlett (London & NY: Routledge, ). DS122 .J55 2002. pp. 88-106.
McKnight, S., A Light Among the Gentiles: Jewish Missionary Activity in the Second Temple Period (Philadelphia 1990) BM176.M38
*Mitchell, Stephen, ‘The cult of Theos Hypsistos between Pagans, Jews, and Christians’, in P. Athanassiadi et al. (eds), Pagan Monotheism in Late Antiquity (Oxford 1999) 81-148;
*Rabello, A.M., 'The legal condition of the Jews in the Roman Empire', Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt (Berlin : De Gruyter) II.13 (1980), 662-762.
*Rajak, Tessa, ‘Jews and Christians as Groups in a Pagan World’, in “To See Ourselves as Others See Us”: Christians, Jews, "Others" in Late Antiquity (ed. Jacob Neusner and Ernest S. Frerichs; Scholars Press Studies in the Humanities; Chico, California: Scholars Press, 1985). BT1120 .T6/1985. pp. 247- 62.
Rokeah, D., Jews, Pagans and Christians in Conflict (Jerusalem 1982) BR127.R577.
Safrai, S. and M. Stern, The Jewish People in the First Century (Assen 1974-76) DS122.J48.
Sanders, E.P., Judaism: Practice and Belief 63 BCE - 66 CE (Philadelphia 1992) BM176.S257.
*Schürer, E., The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (new ed. rev. G. Vermes et al. Edinburgh 1973-79). DS122.S42. vol. 3.1, pp.50-176, 150- 162.
*Setzer, Claudia J. Jewish Responses to Early Christians: History and Polemics, 30- 150 C.E. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994., pp. 147-162, 217-219.
*T. Teeter, ‘ Theos Hypsistos in the Papyri’, Akten des 23. Internationalen Papyrologen-Kongresses. Wien, 22.-28. Iuli 2001 , ed. B. Palme (Wien: OAW, 2007), 675-8.
*Wardy, B., ‘Jewish Religion in Pagan Literature during the Late Republic and Early Empire’, Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt (Berlin : De Gruyter) II.19.1 (1979) 592-644.
26 Week 4
Lectures: The Jewish revolts
In lectures 7 and 8 (26 & 28/8) we will examine Jewish revolts against Roman rule in the first and second centuries.
Tutorial: Roman attitudes to Jews in the 2nd and 3rd centuries
Reading
Book of Readings pp. 20-23.
MacMullen and Lane, 13.2, pp. 153-156.
Questions for Discussion:
With reference to the documents in the Book of Readings and MacMullen and Lane, what is the nature of and reasons for the Roman hostility towards the Jews in the Imperial period?
Identify carefully the genre of each document:
• how does the attitude to the Jews differ between the different types of text? • Which is more hostile, and why?
Further Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
*Barnes, T.D., ‘Trajan and the Jews’, Journal of Jewish Studies 40 (1989), 145-162.
*Barrett, C.K., New Testament Background: Selected Documents , revised ed. (London 1987) DS122.N48. pp.162-172.
Eck, W. ‘The Bar Kokhbar Revolt: The Roman point of view’, Journal of Roman Studies 89 (1999) 76-89. [available online through the MUL website]
*Frankfurter, D., ‘Lest Egypt’s city be deserted: religion and ideology in the Egyptian response to the Jewish revolt’, Journal of Jewish Studies 43 (1992), 203-20.
*Isaac, B.H., ‘The revolt of Bar Kochba: Ideology and modern scholarship’, The Near East under Roman rule (New York : Brill, 1998) DS62.2 .I85/1998. pp. 220-256.
*Schreckenberg, H., ‘The works of Josephus and the Early Christian Church’, L.H. Feldman and G. Hata (eds), Josephus, Judaism and Christianity (Leiden 1987) DS115.9.J6.J66. pp. 315-324.
*Schürer, E., The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (new ed. rev. G. Vermes et al. Edinburgh 1973-79). DS122.S42. vol. 1, pp. 536-557.
27 *Smallwood, E.M., The Jews under Roman Rule (Leiden 1976) BM40.S78, vol. 20. pp. 293-355.
*Tcherikover, V. and Fuks, A., Corpus Papyrorum Judaicarum , vol. II (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1957-64). DS135.E4.T35. pp. 225-260.
*Yadin, Y., Bar Kokhba: The Rediscovery of the Legendary Hero of the Last Jewish Struggle against Rome (London 1971) DS 122.9.Y3. pp. 124-139; 222-253, 255- 259.
28 Week 5
Lecture
In lecture 9 (2/9) we will consider how the interactions between the Roman state and Christians in the 1 st to 3 rd century, asking how Christians presented themselves, how Romans perceived them, and how they differentiated them from Jews. In Lecture 10 (4/9) we will look at how Jews and Christians defined themselves and each other against the backdrop of the Greek-speaking Eastern empire and the Hellenic cults.
Tutorial: The Imperial cult and early Roman reactions to Christianity
Reading
MacMullen and Lane, pp. 74-78.
Book of Readings pp. 24-27.
Questions for Discussion:
What light do the extracts in MacMullen and Lane, pp. 74-78 and the nos. 1-3 in Book of Readings pp. 24-25 throw on the attitude to the Christians in Pliny’s Letter and Trajan’s reply (no. 4, pp. 26-27)?
Further Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan/ = Posted on Blackboard)
*Bell, Harold Idris, Cults and Creeds in Graeco-Roman Egypt (1957, rp. Chicago: Ares, 1975), pp. 35-49.
*◊◊◊Brent, A., The imperial cult and the development of church order : concepts and images of authority in paganism and early Christianity before the Age of Cyprian (Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 1999.) BV648 .B73. *pp. 1-16 (see also 310-330).
*Dundas, G.S., Pharaoh, basileus and imperator : the Roman imperial cult in Egypt (Ann Arbor, Mich. : University Microfilms International, 1993) DG124 .D86. 259- 340.
*Fishwick, D., The imperial cult in the Latin West : studies in the ruler cult of the western provinces of the Roman Empire . (Leiden ; New York : E.J. Brill, 1987) BL805 .F58. VOL. I.1, pp. 97-149.
*Fishwick, Duncan, ‘The development of provincial ruler worship in the western Roman Empire,’ Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt (Berlin : De Gruyter) II. 16.2 (1978) pp.1201-1253.
*Frankfurter, David, Religion in Roman Egypt. Assimilation and Resistance (Princeton: Princeton UP, 1998), 37-82.
29 *Frend, W.H.C., Martyrdom and Persecution from the Maccabees to Donatus (Oxford 1967) BR1604.2.F7. pp. 155-172, 461-466.
*Hazlett, Ian, Early Christianity : origins and evolution to AD 600 : in honour of W.H.C. Frend . (Nashville : Abingdon Press, 1991). BR162.2 .E37/1991. pp. 52- 64.
*Huzar, E.G., ‘Emperor Worship in Julio-Claudian Egypt’, Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt (Berlin : De Gruyter) II.18.5 (1995) 3092-3143.
Jones, D.L., ‘Christianity and the Roman Imperial Cult’, Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt (Berlin : De Gruyter) II.23.2 (1980) 1023-1054.
* Lane Fox, Robin, ‘The spread of Christianity’, Pagans and Christians, 265-335.
*MacMullen, R., Christianizing the Roman Empire (A.D. 100-400). (New Haven and London., 1984).BR195.E9.M33. pp. 25-42, 132-138.
Millar, F. ‘The Imperial Cult and the Persecutions’ in den Boer, W. Le culte des souverains dans l'Empire romain (Geneva: Hardt Foundation, 1973), pp. 145- 163
*Momigliano, A., The Conflict Between Paganism and Christianity in the Fourth Century (Oxford 1963) BR205.M6. pp. 17-37.
*Price, S.R.F., Rituals and power : the Roman imperial cult in Asia Minor (Cambridge :Cambridge University Press, 1984) DG124 .P74. pp. 234-248.
*Rives, J.B., Religion and authority in Roman Carthage from Augustus to Constantine (Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1995). BL813.C37 .R58, pp.250-310.
Scott, K., The imperial cult under the Flavians (New York : Arno Press, 1975). DG124 .S35
*Sordi, M., The Christians and the Roman Empire (London 1986) BR170.S713. pp. 55-78.
30 Week 6
Lectures
There are no lectures this week (either on 9/9 or 11/9).
Tutorial:
There is no tutorial this week
Use the time to revise what we have done so far, prepare for next week, and start work on your essay.
31 Week 7
Lectures
In Lecture 11 (16/9) we will trace the Roman efforts to suppress Christians from the second into the mid-third century. In Lecture 12 (18/9) we will consider the nature of sacred space amongst Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Christians.
Tutorial: Christians and the Roman state in 3rd century papyri
Book of Readings pp. 28-41.
Questions for Discussion:
With reference to the documents in your Book of Readings , what in your opinion were the aims of Decius in seeking this sacrifice?
Further Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
*Frend, W.H.C. Martyrdom and Persecution from the Maccabees to Donatus (Oxford 1967) BR604.2.F7, 155-172, 461-466.
†Lane-Fox, R., Pagans and Christians (New York 1987) BR 128.R7.L36, pp. 419- 492.
*Keresztes, P., ‘The Decian libelli and Contemporary literature’, Latomus 34(1975) 761-781.
*Rives, J.B. , Religion and authority in Roman Carthage from Augustus to Constantine (Oxford : Clarendon Press, 1995). BL813.C37 .R58. pp. 250-310.
Rives, J.B., ‘The Decree of Decius and the Religion of Empire’, Journal of Roman Studies (1999) 135-154. [available online through MUL website]
*Sage, M., Cyprian (Cambridge, Mass. 1975) BR 1720.C8.S23. pp.165-267.
*Selinger, R., The Mid-Third Century Persecutions of Decius and Valerian (Frankfurt am Main 2002) BR1604.23.S45. pp. 27-82.
*Stevenson, J., (ed.), revised by W.H.C. Frend , A New Eusebius. Documents illustrating the history of the Church to AD 337 . (London: SPCK, 1993).BR160.A2.N49/1987. pp. 215-223.
32 Week 8
Lectures
In Lectures 13 (7/10) we will look at the attempt by the Emperor Valerian to stamp out Christianity and its implications. In Lecture 14 (9/10) we will examine sacred texts, and the concept of Sacred Text, among the great traditions.
Tutorial: Christian responses to Roman Oppression
Reading:
Macmullen & Lane 18.5 (p. 223), 18.7 (pp. 224-225), 18.9-10 (pp.226-232).
Book of Readings pp. 42-49.
Questions for Discussion:
What Christian responses to the persecutions of the mid 3rd century do the readings reveal? How do you account for any differences in opinion over how to react?
Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
*◊◊◊Clarke, G., The Letters of St. Cyprian of Carthage (New York 1984-1989) BR 60.A35. Vol. 43, pp. 3-48; vol. 44, pp. 13-21; vol. 46, pp. 1-29; vol. 47, pp. 1-17.
*de Blois, L., The Policy of the Emperor Gallienus (Leiden 1976) DG 307.5.B5713. pp.175-193.
*Frend, W.H.C. Martyrdom and Persecution from the Maccabees to Donatus (Oxford 1967) BR604.2.F7, 155-172, 461-466.
†Lane-Fox, R., Pagans and Christians (New York 1987) BR 128.R7.L36, pp. 419- 492.
Sage, M., Cyprian (Cambridge, Mass. 1975) BR 1720.C8.S23.
*Selinger, R., The Mid-Third Century Persecutions of Decius and Valerian (Frankfurt am Main 2002) BR1604.23.S45. pp. 27-82.
*Stevenson, J., (ed.) revised by W.H.C. Frend, A New Eusebius. Documents illustrating the history of the Church to AD 337 . (London: SPCK, 1993). BR160.A2.N49/1987. pp. 247-251.
33 Week 9
Lectures
In Lecture 15 (21/10) we will look at the ‘Great Persecution’ under Diocletian and the Tetrarchs at the beginning of the fourth century. In the decades following this we may place the birth of the Church as a corporate phenomenon recognised by the state; we will discuss this in Lecture 16 (23/10).
Tutorial: The Martyrdom of Phileas
Book of Readings pp. 50-55.
Questions for Discussion:
The Acts of Phileas survives in three versions. Two are on papyrus and in Greek: the Bodmer papyrus (P.Bodmer 20, copied in the middle or second half of the fourth century) and the Beatty papyrus (P.Beatty 15; 1 st half of the fourth century); a Latin version also survives in later manuscripts.
Study the three versions of the Martyrdom of Phileas in pp. 50-55 in your Book of Readings : a) What kind of defence was offered by Phileas? b) How would you characterise Culcianus' tactics in interrogating Phileas? How effective were they?
Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
You should be familiar with the chief ancient accounts of the persecutions, of Eusebius of Caesarea and Lactantius. These can be found online:
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History , Book VIII † BR160.E5 .E6/1989 or
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.xiii.i.html
Lactantius, De mortibus persecutorum ( On the Deaths of the Persecutors / On the manner in which the persecutors died ) †BR65.L23 .D43513/1984 or BR60.A62/1956 vol 7 (plus other translations, check Library Catalogue) or at:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.iii.v.html
The secular history of the period is recounted in detail in the works of Jones and Barnes in the list below:
34 Barnes, T.D. The new empire of Diocletian and Constantine (Cambridge, Mass : Harvard University Press, 1982).
*Bowersock, G., Martyrdom and Rome (Cambridge: Cambridge University OPRess, 1995). BR1604.2 .B68 1995. pp. 1-21.
Frend, W.H.C., Martyrdom and Persecution from the Maccabees to Donatus (Oxford 1967) BR1604.2.F7. pp. 351-392, 508-520.
Jones, A. H. M. The later Roman Empire, 284-602 : a social economic and administrative survey (Oxford : B. Blackwell, 1964).
*Stevenson, J., (ed., revised by W.H.C. Frend), A New Eusebius. Documents illustrating the history of the Church to AD 337 . (London: SPCK, 1993).BR160.A2.N49/1987. pp. 269-281.
35 Week 10
Lecture
This week we will examine the evidence for the spread of Christianity which has been preserved on papyrus from Egypt and inscriptions from Asia Minor. Lecture 17 (14/10) will deal with the papyrus evidence for the Christianity in second and third century papyri and will look at the papyri which show the Christianisation of Egypt in the third and early fourth century. Lecture 18 will deal with the epigraphic evidence for Christianity in the second through to the fourth centuries in central Asia Minor.
Tutorial: The signs of Christianity in the papyri and inscriptions
Reading:
Book of Readings pp. 56-89 (Papyri); 90-92 (Inscriptions)
Dates for these letters (nearly all based on their handwriting) are given in Roman numerals: thus III = Third century; IV = fourth; III/IV = late third / early fourth century’; beg. = beginning.
Abbreviations for papyrus editions (‘P-Sigla’) – which can prove difficult – are resolved at:
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/papyrus/texts/clist.html
For further papyrological resources on the Web, see the Unit Web CT site, and on the Departmental website at http://www.anchist.mq.edu.au/ahsthonourspap.html
Questions for Discussion:
Either
(a) With reference to the papyri in your Book of Readings pp. 56-89, what are the probable indicators of Christianity?
Or
(b) With reference to the inscriptions in your Book of Readings pp. 90-92, what information can be glean about the social situation of Christians in third century Asia Minor?
NB: not all these letters or inscriptions are necessarily Christian: there are also Jewish, polytheistic and ‘pagan’, and (in the papyri) Manichaean examples to provide context.
36 Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊◊◊ = 3- day loan/ = Posted on Blackboard)
Papyri.
*Alexander, P.S., ‘Epistolary Literature’, in M. Stone, ed. Jewish writings of the Second Temple period (Assen & Philadelphia 1984) BM485 .L57/Vol.2, pp. 579- 596.
Cotton H.M., W.E.H. Cockle and F.G.B. Millar, ‘The Papyrology of the Roman Near East: A Survey’, Journal of Roman Studies 85 (1995) 214-235. [Available through the MUL catalogue]
*Gardner, I. & Lieu, S., Manichaean Texts from the Roman Empire (Cambridge, 2004) 3- 25.
*Horsley G.H.R. (ed.), New Documents Illustrating Early Christianity 4 (1987) (North Ryde, 1987), pp.57-63.
*Judge, E.A., ‘Papyri’, in Everett Ferguson (ed.), Encyclopedia of Early Christianity (New York 1990) BR162.2 .E53/1999. pp.687-691.
*Judge, E.A., and Pickering, S.R., “Papyrus Documentation of Church and Community in Egypt to the Mid-Fourth Century”, Jahrbuch für Antike und Christentum 20(1977) 47-71. BR128.A2.J3
Epigraphy.
Gibson, E. The "Christians for Christians" Inscriptions of Phrygia . (Atlanta: Scholars Press,1978)
Johnson, G. J. ‘A Christian Business and Christian Self-Identity in Third/Fourth Century Phrygia.’ Vigiliae Christianae (1994). 48(4): 341-366. [Available through the MUL catalogue]
Johnson, G. J.. Early Christian Epitaphs from Anatolia . (Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1995)
McKechnie, P. ‘Christian City Councillors in the Roman Empire before Constantine,’ Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion (2009) 5, 1-20.
McLean, B.H. An Introduction to Greek Epigraphy of the Hellenistic and Roman Periods from Alexander the Great down tot he Reign of Constantine (323 B.C. -A.D.337) . (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2002), pp. 278-288.
McHugh, M.P., 'Inscriptions' in Ferguson (ed.) Encyclopaedia of early Christianity
37 (New York: Garland Publishers, 1997) (1997:574-576).
Tabbernee, W. 'Epigraphy' in Ashbrook & Harvey The Oxford handbook of early Christian studies (Oxford:OUP 2008)), pp.120-139
Tabbernee, W. Montanist Inscriptions and Testimonia - Epigraphic Sources Illustrating the History of Montanism . (Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. 1997)
38 Week 11
Lecture
This week we will examine other religious currents in the Roman Empire. Lecture 19 (28/10) will deal with Hermeticism and Gnosticism. In Lecture 20 (30/10) we will meet the world religion of ‘Mani, apostle of Jesus Christ’.
Online Discussion: Magic and Ritual
Reading
MacMullen and Lane pp. 1-28.
Book of Readings , pp. 93.
Questions for Discussion:
With reference to the sources in MacMullen and Lane and the Book of Readings :
• what sort of things was magic used for in the Roman world • what was the Roman attitude to it?
Further Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
*Betz, Hans Dieter, 'Magic and Mystery in the Greek Magical Papyri', Magika Hiera. Ancient Greek magic and Religion , ed. C.A Faraone and D. Obbink (New York & Oxford 1991), 244-259.
*Braarvig, Jens, 'Magic: Reconsidering the Grand Dichotomy', The world of ancient magic : papers from the first International Samson Eitrem Seminar at the Norwegian Institute at Athens, 4-8 May 1997 (Berngen 1999), 21-54.
*Dickie, Matthew W., Magic and magicians in the Greco-Roman world (Londn & New York 2001), 124-141, 339-341, A general theory of magic , trans. Robert Brain (London & Boston 1972), 18-24.
*Frankfurter, David, 'Ritual Expertse in Roman Egypt and the problem of the category "Magician"', Envisioning magic : a Princeton seminar and symposium ed. Peter Schafer and Hans G. Kippenberg (Leiden 1997), 115-135.
*Graf, Fritz, Magic in the Ancient World (Cambridge, MA 1997), 97-117, 262-271.
*Graf, Fritz, 'Theories of Magic in Antiquity', Magic and Ritual in the Ancient World , ed. P. Mirecki and M. Meyer (Leiden 2002) 92-104.
*Janowitz, Naomi, Magic in the Roman World . Pagans, Jews, and Christians (London & New York 2001), 9-26.
39 *Copenhaver, Brian P. (ed. & trans.), Hermetica : the Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius in a new English translation, with notes and introduction . (Cambridge [England] ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 1992). BF1600 .H475 1992. pp. xiii-lix.
*King, Karen L., What is Gnosticism? Cambridge., Massachusetts : Belknap Press : c2003). BT1390 .K55 2003. pp. 1-19, 277-280.
*Pearson, Birger A., ‘Gnosticism as Platonism’, Gnosticism, Judaism, and Egyptian Christianity . (Minneapolis : Fortress Press, c1990). BT1390 .P38/1990. pp. 148- 164.
*Rudolph, K., ‘Gnosticism’, in I. Hazlett, ed., Early Christianity : origins and evolution to AD 600 : in honour of W.H.C. Frend . (Nashville : Abingdon Press, 1991). BR162.2 .E37/1991. pp. 186-97.
40 Week 12
Lectures
In Lecture 21(4/11) we will consider the interaction between philosophy and Christianity by considering Origen of Alexandria. In Lecture 22 (6/11) we will look from the other side of the debate, from the perspective of the Neo-Platonists Porphyry and Iamblichus.
Online Discussion: The intellectual reaction to Christianity
Reading:
Book of Readings pp. 94-113.
Questions for Discussion:
With specific reference to the documents in your Book of Readings pp. 91-109:
• what are the main arguments offered in these against the views of Christians? • How were Jews are involved in the discussion? • What counter arguments were offered?
Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
Barnes, T.D., Tertullian: A Historical and Literary Study (Oxford 1971; 2nd ed 1985 not in MUL) BR1720.T3.B37.
Crouzel, H., Origen (Edinburgh 1989) BR1720.07.C7613.
*Dodds, E.R., Pagan and Christian in an Age of Anxiety (Cambridge 1965) BL53.D6. pp. 102-138.
Droge, A.J., Homer or Moses? Early Christian Interpretations of the History of Culture (Tübingen 1989) BR115.C5.D76.
*Frede, Michael, ‘Origen's Treatise Against Celsus’, in Apologetics in the Roman Empire (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999). BT1115 .A66/1999. pp. 131-155.
Grant, R.M., Greek Apologists of the Second Century (London 1988) BT1115.G7.
Hoffmann, R.J., Celsus on the True Doctrine: A Discourse against the Christians (1987) BR 160.3.C4413.
*Hovland, C. Warren. "The Dialogue between Origen and Celsus", in Pagan and Christian Anxiety: A Response to E. R. Dodds (ed. Robert C. Smith and John
41 Lounibos; Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 1984). BL805.D633 P34 1984. pp. 191-216.
Lilla, S.R.C., Clement of Alexandria: A Study in Christian Platonism and Gnosticism (1971) B666.Z7.L54.
Osborn, E., Justin Martyr (Tübingen 1973) BR1720.J8.082.
*Stanton, G.M., ‘Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho : Group Boundaries, “Proselytes”, and “God-Fearers”’, in G. Stanton and G. Stroumsa (edd.), Tolerance and intolerance in Early Judaism and Christianity (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998). BM177 .T65/1998. pp. 263-278.
*Wilken, Robert L., ‘Celsus: A Conservative Intellectual’, in The Christians as the Romans Saw Them (New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 1984). BL2756.W.54. pp. 94-125.
*Rokeah, D., Jews, Pagans and Christians in Conflict (Jerusalem 1982). BR127.R577. pp. 11-39.
Stevenson, J., (ed., revised by W.H.C. Frend), A New Eusebius. Documents illustrating the history of the Church to AD 337 . (London: SPCK, 1993).BR160.A2.N49/1987. pp. 265-268. van Winden, J.C.M., An Early Christian Philosopher: Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho (1971) B675.D53.W5.
42 Week 13
Lectures
In the final week we will examine some of the consequences of what we have been studying in the fourth century (lecture 23; 11/11), ending by re-considering in Lecture 24 (13/11) the ‘world full of Gods’ we have encountered.
Online Discussion: Porphyry
Reading:
Book of Readings pp. 114-123.
Questions for Discussion:
Based on the extracts in the Book of Readings :
• What are Porphyry's main criticisms of Christianity? • In what respects does Porphyry show ‘inside knowledge’ of Christian teaching?
Reading († = Special Reserve / * = E-reserve / ◊ = 3- day loan)
*Armstrong, A.H. (ed.), The Cambridge History of Later Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1967-1970) B171 .A79/1970. pp. 272-301.
*Barnes, T. D., ‘Porphyry Against the Christians: Date and the Attribution of the Fragments’, Journal of Theological Studies New Series 24 (1973), pp. 424-442.
Barnes, T., ‘Pagan perceptions of Christianity’, in I. Hazlett, ed. , Early Christianity : origins and evolution to AD 600 : in honour of W.H.C. Frend . (Nashville : Abingdon Press, 1991). BR162.2 .E37/1991. pp. 231-243.
*Bowersock, Glen, Hellenism in Late Antiquity (Cambridge 1990) DF240.B69. pp. 1- 13.
*Chuvin, P., A Chronicle of the Last Pagans (Cambridge, Mass. 1990) BR128.R7.C58. pp. 7-13, 153-154.
*Fowden, Garth, The Egyptian Hermes : a Historical Approach to the Late Pagan Mind (Princeton: Princeton UP rev. ed. 1993), pp.13-44.
†Harding, M. Early Christian Life and thought in Social Context: A Reader (London & New York 2003) BR165 .E15 2003, pp. 194-207.
43 *Hoffmann, R. Joseph, (ed. & trans.), Porphyry's Against the Christians : the literary remains . (Amherst, N.Y. : Prometheus Books, 1994). BR160.3 .P6713/1994. pp. 7-26.
*Meredith, A., ‘Porphyry and Julian Against the Christians’, Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt (Berlin : De Gruyter) II.23.2 (1980) 1119-1149.
*Osborn, E.F., The Beginning of Christian Philosophy (Cambridge 1981) BR67.O8. pp. 1-17, 258-272.
*Runia, David T. , ‘ Platonism, Philonism, and the Beginnings of Christian thought’, in Philo and the church fathers : a collection of papers. (Leiden ; New York : E.J. Brill, 1995). B689.Z7 .R8645/1995. pp. 1-24.
*Shiel, J., Greek Thought and the Rise of Christianity (Harlow 1968) BR128.G8.S5. pp. 18-38.
*Smith, Andrew., Porphyry's place in the neoplatonic tradition : a study in post- Plotinian neoplatonism . (The Hague : M. Nijhoff, 1974). B697.Z7 .S6/1974. pp. xi- xviii, 142-150.
*Stevenson, J., (ed.)revised by W.H.C. Frend, A New Eusebius. Documents illustrating the history of the Church to AD 337. (London: SPCK, 1993). BR160.A2.N49/1987. pp. 128-137.
44