Paganism in the Roman Empire

ISBN: 0300029845

Author: MacMullen, Ramsay

Condition: Used

MacMullenhas published several books in recent years which establish him, rightfully, as a leading social historian of the Roman Empire. The current volume exhibits many of the characteristics of its predecessors: the presentation of novel, revisionist points of view; discrete set pieces of trenchant argument which do not necessarily conform to the boundaries of traditional history; and an impressive, authoritative, and up-to-date documentation, especially rich in primary sourcesA stimulating and provocative discourse on Roman paganism as a phenomenon worthy of synthetic investigation in its own right and as the fundamental context for the rise of Christianity.-Richard Brilliant, HistoryMacMullens latest work represents many features of paganism in its social context more vividly and clearly than ever before.-Fergus Millar, American Historical ReviewThe major cultsare examined from a social and cultural perspective and with the aid of many recently published specialized studiesStudents of the Roman Empireshould read this book.-Robert J, Penella, Classical WorldA distinguished book with much exact observationAn indispensable mine of erudition on a grand theme. Henry Chadwick, Times Literary SupplementRamsay MacMullen is Dunham Professor of History and Classics at Yale University and the author of Roman Governments Response to Crisis, A.D. 235-337 and Roman Social Relations, 50 B.C. to A.D. 284