Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
'A brilliant book, by a scholar to whom church historians are already deeply indebted, providing ample material for further debates.' The Expository Times
Review
' ... the treatment is fresh and independent'. The Times Literary Supplement
Synopsis
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
Synopsis
Peter Brown's illuminating study reassesses the process of the Christianisation of the Roman world.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Christianisation: narratives and process; 2. The limits of intolerance; 3. Arbiters of the Holy: the Christian holy man in late antiquity; Notes; Index.