Religions of the Constantinian Empire

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church History, History
Cover of the book Religions of the Constantinian Empire by Mark Edwards, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mark Edwards ISBN: 9780191511509
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: November 19, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Mark Edwards
ISBN: 9780191511509
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: November 19, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Religions of the Constantinian Empire provides a synoptic review of Constantine's relation to all the cultic and theological traditions of the Empire during the period from his seizure of power in the west in 306 cᴇ to the end of his reign as autocrat of both east and west in 337 cᴇ. Divided into three parts, the first considers the efforts of Christians to construct their own philosophy, and their own patterns of the philosophic life, in opposition to Platonism. The second assembles evidence of survival, variation or decay in religious practices which were never compulsory under Roman law. The 'religious plurality' of the second section includes those cults which are represented as demonic burlesques of the sacraments by Firmicus Maternus. The third reviews the changes, both within the church and in the public sphere, which were undeniably prompted by the accession of a Christian monarch. In this section on 'Christian polyphony', Mark Edwards expertly moves on from this deliberate petrifaction of Judaism to the profound shift in relations between the church and the civic cult that followed the Emperor's choice of a new divine protector. The material in the first section will be most familiar to the historian of philosophy, that of the second to the historian of religion, and that of the third to the theologian. All three sections make reference to such factors as the persecution under Diocletian, the so-called 'edict of Milan', the subsequent legislation of Constantine, and the summoning of the council of Nicaea. Edwards does not maintain, however, that the religious and philosophical innovations of this period were mere by-products of political revolution; indeed, he often highlights that Christianity was more revolutionary in its expectations than any sovereign could afford to be in his acts.This authoritative study provides a comprehensive reference work for those studying the ecclesiastical and theological developments and controversies of the fourth century.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Religions of the Constantinian Empire provides a synoptic review of Constantine's relation to all the cultic and theological traditions of the Empire during the period from his seizure of power in the west in 306 cᴇ to the end of his reign as autocrat of both east and west in 337 cᴇ. Divided into three parts, the first considers the efforts of Christians to construct their own philosophy, and their own patterns of the philosophic life, in opposition to Platonism. The second assembles evidence of survival, variation or decay in religious practices which were never compulsory under Roman law. The 'religious plurality' of the second section includes those cults which are represented as demonic burlesques of the sacraments by Firmicus Maternus. The third reviews the changes, both within the church and in the public sphere, which were undeniably prompted by the accession of a Christian monarch. In this section on 'Christian polyphony', Mark Edwards expertly moves on from this deliberate petrifaction of Judaism to the profound shift in relations between the church and the civic cult that followed the Emperor's choice of a new divine protector. The material in the first section will be most familiar to the historian of philosophy, that of the second to the historian of religion, and that of the third to the theologian. All three sections make reference to such factors as the persecution under Diocletian, the so-called 'edict of Milan', the subsequent legislation of Constantine, and the summoning of the council of Nicaea. Edwards does not maintain, however, that the religious and philosophical innovations of this period were mere by-products of political revolution; indeed, he often highlights that Christianity was more revolutionary in its expectations than any sovereign could afford to be in his acts.This authoritative study provides a comprehensive reference work for those studying the ecclesiastical and theological developments and controversies of the fourth century.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Shakespeare's Comedies: A Very Short Introduction by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Hegel on the Proofs and the Personhood of God by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book The Oxford Edition of Blackstone's: Commentaries on the Laws of England by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Nuclear Physics: A Very Short Introduction by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book The Waffen-SS by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book The Ordering of the Christian Mind by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Urban Legends by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Managing Science by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book The Hancocks of Marlborough by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Jacob Wackernagel, Lectures on Syntax by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book The Souls of Black Folk by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Villette by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Deference in International Courts and Tribunals by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book Professional Police Practice by Mark Edwards
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of International Security by Mark Edwards
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy