Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity: A Sourcebook(Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World)

In the third century AD, the Roman empire encompassed an enormous diversity of religious practices and creeds; by the sixth century, one of those creeds - Christianity - had become the dominant religious force in the Mediterranean world, providing a vital thread of continuity and stability as antiquity gave way to the middle ages. A.D. Lee uses translated extracts from contemporary sources, and related material evidence, to document this process. The volume examines the fortunes of pagans and Christians from the upheavals of the third century, to the increasingly tumultuous times of the fifth and sixth centuries which witnessed the demise of the western empire and the survival of the eastern half. It also explores the fate of other significant religious groups - Jews, Zoroastrians, and Manichaeans - and illustrates a number of important themes in late antique Christianity, such as the growth of monasticism, the emerging power of bishops, and the development of pilgrimage. Each extract or item is accompanied by a clear explanation of its context and significance and by guidance on further reading. By presenting contemporary material in this way, Pagans and Christians in Late Antiquity forms the ideal introduction to a period and subject full of interest.

Table of Contents:
1. Late Antiquity : an overview 2. Sources: types, languages, and dating 3. Pagans and polythesists 4. Further reading and useful reference works Part I Pagans and Christians through time 1. Pagans in the third century 2. Christians in the Third century 3. Pagans and Christians during the Tetrarchy 4. Constantine 5. Pagans and Christians in the mid fourth century 6. Pagans and christians in the late fourth century 7. Christianization and its limits in the fifth and sixth centuries Part II Other Religious Groups 8. Jews 9. Zoroastrians 10. Manichaeans Part III Themes in Late Antique Christianity 11. Ascetics 12. Bishops 13. Material Resources 14. Church Life 15. Women 16. Pilgrims and Holy places Religious Constantine

Review :
..."students and scholars of late antiquity, the early medieval period, the history of Christianity, or religious studies will enjoy this handy compedium.." -"Religious Studies Review, October 2001, volume 27 number 4