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Celsus in his World

Philosophy, Polemic and Religion in the Second Century

Simon Gathercole editor James Carleton Paget editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:25th Nov '21

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Celsus in his World cover

This book provides a multi-dimensional account of the ancient Greek philosopher, Celsus.

In a scholarly yet accessible manner, this book brings together classicists, experts in ancient Judaism and scholars in early Christianity, to discuss the neglected Greek philosopher Celsus, whose concerns touch upon a range of significant subjects in late antiquity.Celsus penned the earliest known detailed attack upon Christianity. While his identity is disputed and his anti-Christian treatise, entitled the True Word, has been exclusively transmitted through the hands of the great Christian scholar Origen, he remains an intriguing figure. In this interdisciplinary volume, which brings together ancient philosophers, specialists in Greek literature, and historians of early Christianity and of ancient Judaism, Celsus is situated within the cultural, philosophical, religious and political world from which he emerged. While his work is ostensibly an attack upon Christianity, it is also the defence of a world in which Celsus passionately believed. It is the unique contribution of this volume to give voice to the many dimensions of that world in a way that will engage a variety of scholars interested in late antiquity and the histories of Christianity, Judaism and Greek thought.

'… one of the best comprehensive volumes on Celsus in recent memory.' Juraj Franek, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

ISBN: 9781108832441

Dimensions: 236mm x 162mm x 32mm

Weight: 910g

350 pages