Pagan Inscriptions, Christian Viewers: The Afterlives of Temples and Their Texts in the Late Antique Eastern Mediterranean

People in the early Christian period viewed pagan inscriptions as a source of knowledge and inspiration for their own beliefs and practices, even though they were often seen as a threat to the Christian message.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the early Christian period, the pagan inscriptions that adorned their late antique cities took on a unique significance, akin to modern-day public advertisements that populate our streets. These inscriptions, scattered throughout the cities, served as a means of communication, delivering specific messages to literate late Roman viewers. Unlike the sermons preached from the pulpits of early Christian churches, these inscriptions offered a distinct perspective on the classical past.

Anna M. Sitz, in her book "Pagan Inscriptions, Christian Viewers," offers a fresh perspective on the Christianization of the Roman empire from the fourth to the seventh century CE by examining a previously overlooked body of evidence: the numerous ancient pagan inscriptions, written in Greek or other languages, that were reused, preserved, or even partially erased during this period. This volume brings together for the first time the literary and archaeological evidence for attitudes towards these ancient inscriptions in the eastern Mediterranean, spanning from Greece to Asia Minor, Syria to Egypt.

"Pagan Inscriptions, Christian Viewers" illustrates how early Christians, late pagans, and Jews in the eastern Mediterranean interpreted older inscriptions in Greek and other languages through their own worldviews, shaping the late antique present. It sheds light on the complex interplay between religious beliefs, cultural traditions, and the preservation of historical records during a period of significant transformation. By exploring the diverse interpretations and uses of pagan inscriptions, Sitz provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the early Christian period and the complex dynamics of cultural interaction in the ancient world.

Weight: 628g
Dimension: 160 x 243 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197666432