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One god : pagan monotheism in the Roman Empire / edited by Stephen Mitchell and Peter van Nuffelen.

Contributor(s): Mitchell, Stephen, 1948- | Nuffelen, Peter vanMaterial type: TextTextPublication details: Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2010. Description: ix, 239 p. : ill. ; 24 cmISBN: 9780521194167 (hbk.); 0521194164 (hbk.)Subject(s): Monotheism -- History -- Congresses | Paganism -- History -- Congresses | Rome -- Religion -- CongressesDDC classification: 211/.34 LOC classification: BL221 | .O54 2010Online resources: Cover image
Contents:
Machine generated contents note: 1. Introduction: the debate about pagan monotheism S. Mitchell and P. Van Nuffelen; 2. Pagan monotheism as a religious phenomenon P. Van Nuffelen; 3. Pagan ritual and monotheism J. North; 4. The case for pagan monotheism in Greek and Graeco-Roman antiquity M. Frede; 5. Monotheism between cult and politics. The themes of the ancient debate between pagan and Christian monotheism A. Fürst; 6. The price of monotheism. Some new observations on a current debate about late antiquity C. Markschies; 7. Megatheism: the search for the almighty god and the competition of cults A. Chaniotis; 8. Deus deum ... summorum maximus (Apuleius). Ritual expressions of distinction in the divine world in the imperial period N. Belayche; 9. Further thoughts on the cult of Theos Hypsistos S. Mitchell.
Summary: "Graeco-Roman religion in its classic form was polytheistic; on the other hand, monotheistic ideas enjoyed wide currency in ancient philosophy. This contradiction provides a challenge for our understanding of ancient pagan religion. Certain forms of cult activity, including acclamations of 'one god' and the worship of Theos Hypsistos, the highest god, have sometimes been interpreted as evidence for pagan monotheism. This book discusses pagan monotheism in its philosophical and intellectual context, traces the evolution of new religious ideas in the time of the Roman empire, and evaluates the usefulness of the term 'monotheism' as a way of understanding these developments in later antiquity outside the context of Judaism and Christianity. In doing so, it establishes a new framework for understanding the relationship between polytheistic and monotheistic religious cultures between the first and fourth centuries ad"--Provided by publisher.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode
Books Books The BIAA David H. French Library
Shelf 43 - Main Room 		J7 MITCH 27716 Not for loan BOOKS*000000020592

Conference proceedings.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Machine generated contents note: 1. Introduction: the debate about pagan monotheism S. Mitchell and P. Van Nuffelen; 2. Pagan monotheism as a religious phenomenon P. Van Nuffelen; 3. Pagan ritual and monotheism J. North; 4. The case for pagan monotheism in Greek and Graeco-Roman antiquity M. Frede; 5. Monotheism between cult and politics. The themes of the ancient debate between pagan and Christian monotheism A. Fürst; 6. The price of monotheism. Some new observations on a current debate about late antiquity C. Markschies; 7. Megatheism: the search for the almighty god and the competition of cults A. Chaniotis; 8. Deus deum ... summorum maximus (Apuleius). Ritual expressions of distinction in the divine world in the imperial period N. Belayche; 9. Further thoughts on the cult of Theos Hypsistos S. Mitchell.

"Graeco-Roman religion in its classic form was polytheistic; on the other hand, monotheistic ideas enjoyed wide currency in ancient philosophy. This contradiction provides a challenge for our understanding of ancient pagan religion. Certain forms of cult activity, including acclamations of 'one god' and the worship of Theos Hypsistos, the highest god, have sometimes been interpreted as evidence for pagan monotheism. This book discusses pagan monotheism in its philosophical and intellectual context, traces the evolution of new religious ideas in the time of the Roman empire, and evaluates the usefulness of the term 'monotheism' as a way of understanding these developments in later antiquity outside the context of Judaism and Christianity. In doing so, it establishes a new framework for understanding the relationship between polytheistic and monotheistic religious cultures between the first and fourth centuries ad"--Provided by publisher.