Pagan Monotheism in Late Antiquity
Polymnia Athanassiadi editor Michael Frede editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:8th Jul '99
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£66.00(9780199248018)
In this book distinguished experts from a range of disciplines (Orientalists, philologists, philosophers, theologians and historians) address a central problem which lies at the heart of the religious and philosophical debate of late antiquity. Paganism was not a unified tradition and consequently the papers cover a wide social and intellectual spectrum. Particular emphasis is given to several aspects of the topic: first, monotheistic belief in late antique philosophical ideals and its roots in classical antiquity and the Near East; second, monistic Gnosticism; third, the revelatory tradition as expressed in oracular literature; and finally, the monotheistic trend in popular religion.
This book is a useful contribution to the discussion of late antique monotheism. * Journal of Roman Studies *
A brilliant chapter by Stephen Mitchell provides a remarkably fresh insight into the cult of Theos Hypsistos ... fine volume. * Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *
What this book demonstrates, as no other before it and in a revolutionary way, is the plain absurdity of equating paganism with polytheism. In a modest compass and through six contributions from leading scholars ... the editors ... have opened up a world that is not a battleground between those who believe in one god and those who believe in many ... It will henceforth be the fundamental study of this difficult and fascinating subject. * Glen Bowersock, Times Literary Supplement *
Essential reading to any student of antiquity: patristic scholars and philosophers of God alike. * Journal of Early Chrisitan Studies *
ISBN: 9780198152521
Dimensions: 223mm x 145mm x 17mm
Weight: 378g
220 pages