Religion and the Self in Antiquity

Explores the concept of the self within the religions of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Explores the origins, formation, and limits of the self within the religions of the ancient Mediterranean world. This book argues that the history of the self does indeed begin in antiquity, developing as Western religion itself developed.

Many recent studies have argued that the self is a modern invention, a concept developed in the last three centuries. Religion and the Self in Antiquity challenges that idea by presenting a series of studies that explore the origins, formation, and limits of the self within the religions of the ancient Mediterranean world. Drawing on recent work on the body, gender, sexuality, the anthropology of the senses, and power, contributors make a strong case that the history of the self does indeed begin in antiquity, developing as Western religion itself developed.