Unit name | Pagan and Christian in Late Antiquity: Debate and Interaction |
---|---|
Unit code | CLAS37016 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Sandwell |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None, |
Co-requisites |
None. |
School/department | Department of Classics & Ancient History |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Interaction between 'pagans' (adherents of Greek and Roman religions) and the growing numbers of Christians is one of the most fascinating topics in the history of the later Roman empire. This unit will explore the various ways that pagans and Christians interacted in the third to fourth centuries AD from the period of the Great Persecutions, through Constantine's conversion up to the reign of Theodosius at the end of the fourth century. It will look at examples of debate and argument between pagans and Christians as well as at attempts by members of one religion to defend themselves against the other. It will consider how far the two religions found common ground, for example in their religious practice or in the neutral religious language used to praise emperors. Finally, it will explore how Christians took on classical culture and classical forms, such as history writing, and remade them to suit their new religion.
The aims of this unit are to:
On successful completion of this unit students should have:
Seminars
One essay of 3,000 words (50%) and one examination of 90 minutes (50%).
P. Rousseau, The Early Christian Centuries, 2002 (especially chapters 6-9).
A. D. Lee, Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity: A Source Book, 2000.
A. Cameron, Christianity and the Rhetoric of Empire: The development of Christian Discourse, 1991.
R. A. Markus, The End of Ancient Christianity, 1990 (Chapters 1-9).
I. Sandwell, Religious Identity in Late Antiquity: Greeks, Jews and Christians in Antioch 2007.