The Visual Rhetoric of the Married Laity in Late Antiquity: Iconography, the Christianization of Marriage, and Alternatives to the Ascetic Ideal

This study analyzes third- and fourth-century portraits of married Christians and associated images as visual rhetoric in early Christian conversations about marriage and celibacy, recovering lay perspectives underrepresented or missing in literary sources. It explores material sources such as sarcophagi, paintings, glass vessels, finger rings, luxury silver, jewelry items, gems, and seals, providing a fuller picture of the early Christian world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 11 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive study delves into the examination of third- and fourth-century portraits of married Christians and their accompanying images, treating them as visual rhetoric within early Christian conversations surrounding marriage and celibacy. By exploring these visual representations, the study aims to recover the perspectives of the lay community, often underrepresented or missing in literary sources.

Historians of early Christianity have recognized that written sources often present an idealized portrayal of asceticism and sexual renunciation, which was not reflective of the majority of early Christians. This "silent majority," consisting of married individuals, left behind a substantial material record that sheds light on their lives and religious practices.

In particular, in and around Rome, married laity commissioned and utilized various objects such as sarcophagi, paintings, glass vessels, finger rings, luxury silver, jewelry items, gems, and seals that bore their portraits and other forms of self-representation. These artifacts serve as valuable sources for understanding the population who created them, the religious commitments they asserted, and the moderate piety they advocated as alternative ideals to the ascetic ideal.

This study is groundbreaking in its sustained exploration of these material sources within the context of early Christian discourses and practices related to marriage, sexuality, and celibacy. By analyzing these visual evidence, scholars gain a deeper understanding of the creators of these artifacts, their religious beliefs, and the comparatively moderate forms of piety they presented as worthy alternatives to the ascetic ideal.

These artifacts and images contribute to the broader conversations about idealized ways of Christian life in Late Antique societies. They provide additional voices and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the early Christian world. The study is richly illustrated with photographs and drawings, offering readers direct access to primary material evidence. However, it is important to note that such evidence, like textual sources, requires critical interpretation. This study presents a meticulous methodology for iconographic analysis, which is applied to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of these portraits and their significance within early Christian culture.

Weight: 898g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032546483