Pagan Monotheism in Late Antiquity - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019924801X ISBN 13: 9780199248018

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2002

Synopsis

In this book distinguished experts from a range of disciplines (Orientalists, philologists, philosophers, theologians and historians) address a central problem which lies at the heart of the religious and philosophical debate of late antiquity. Paganism was not a unified tradition and consequently the papers cover a wide social and intellectual spectrum. Particular emphasis is given to several aspects of the topic: first, monotheistic belief in late antique philosophical ideals and its roots in classical antiquity and the Near East; second, monistic Gnosticism; third, the revelatory tradition as expressed in oracular literature; and finally, the monotheistic trend in popular religion.

About this title

About the Author:

Polymnia Athanassiadi is a Professor of Late Antique History, University of Athens. Michael Frede is a Professor of the History of Philosophy, and Fellow of Keble College, Oxford.

Review:

`Review from previous edition ... essential reading to any student of antiquity: patristic scholars and philosophers of God alike.'
Journal of Early Christian Studies

`What this book demonstrates ... is the plain absurdity of equating paganism with polytheism. ... It will henceforth be the fundamental study of this difficult but fascinating subject.'
Times Literary Supplement

`... sure to become a seminal work ... of interest to scholars, college students, and the general reader interested in theology.'
History

Chosen by George Steiner as his best book of 2000 in the Times Literary Supplement

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 019924801X
• ISBN 13: 9780199248018
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 220
• Editor: Athanassiadi Polymnia