Authority and the Sacred (Canto original series) - Softcover

Brown, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521595576 ISBN 13: 9780521595575

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

The Christianization of the Roman world lies at the root of modern Europe. Peter Brown's fascinating study examines the factors that proved decisive and the compromises that made the emergence of the Christian conception of existence possible: how the old gods of the Roman Empire could be reinterpreted as symbols to further the message of the Church. Peter Brown also shows how Christian holy men were less representative of a triumphant faith than negotiators of a working compromise between the new faith and traditional ways of dealing with the supernatural worlds.

About this title

Book Description

The Christianisation of the Roman world lies at the root of modern Europe, yet at the time it was a tentative and piecemeal process. Peter Brown's fascinating study examines the factors which proved decisive and the compromises which made the emergence of the Christian 'thought world' possible: how the the old gods of the Roman Empire could be reinterpreted as symbols to further the message of the Church. ' ... the treatment is fresh and independent.' The Times Literary Supplement'A brilliant book, by a scholar to whom church historians are already deeply indebted, providing ample material for further debates.' The Expository Times

About the Author

Peter Brown is Professor of History at Princeton University and author of, among other works, "Augustine of Hippo: A Biography" and "The Body and Society: Men, Women, and Sexual Renunciation in Early Christianity"; he is General Editor of the series, "The Transformation of the Classical Heritage", published by the University of California Press.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521595576
• ISBN 13: 9780521595575
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 108