Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age

This insightful read traces the development of the principal Western religions and their philosophical counterparts from the beginnings of Alexander the Great's empire in 331 B.C.E. to the emergence of the Christian world in the fourth century C.E.

Antonia Tripolitis is Professor of Late Antiquity and Director of the Modern Greek Studies Program at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Abbreviations

ix

Introduction

1

(8)

I. THE HELLENISTIC-ROMAN WORLD

9

(38)

A brief historical survey of the development of the Hellenistic-Roman Age: Alexander's cosmopolitan vision, how it altered the cultural and sociopolitical systems of the time, and society's religious response to the changes brought about by Alexander's universalism. The chapter includes a discussion of the principal mystery cults --- Demeter, Dionysus, Isis, Cybele (Magna Mater) --- and religious philosophies --- Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Middle Platonism --- that developed or were revitalized during this time

Historical Survey

9

(7)

The Mystery Cults

16

(20)

Demeter at Eleusis

17

(5)

Dionysus

22

(4)

Isis

26

(4)

Cybele --- Magna Mater

30

(6)

Religious Philosophies

36

(11)

Stoicism

37

(2)

Epicureanism

39

(2)

Middle Platonism

41

(6)

II. MITHRAISM

47

(14)

A study of the cult of Mithras, its origins in Vedic, India, its mystery rites, and its migration throughout the Mediterranean world. Emphasis will be on the social and psychological factors that caused it to develop into a full-fledged, popular religion, and the reasons for its subsequent decline and disappearance

The Myth and Origins of Mithras

47

(4)

Mysteries of Mithras

51

(5)

Influence and Development in the Hellenistic-Roman Age

56

(2)

Mithraism's Decline and Disappearance

58

(3)

III. HELLENISTIC JUDAISM

61

(30)

The chapter will begin with a historical overview of the Jewish Diaspora from the Babylonian Exile (587 B.C.E.) to the Roman conquest (63 B.C.E.-135 C.E.). It will concentrate on the Hellenization of Diaspora Judaism that began in 333 B.C.E., its cultural and social factors, and the development of Hellenistic Jewish literature, theology, and philosophy; the importance and development of the Hellenistic Jewish synagogue, its art and liturgy, and its influence on Christian church structure and liturgy. Special attention will be given to Philo Judaeus (ca. 30 B.C.E.-45 C.E.), the most outstanding representative of Hellenistic Judaism, his thought, works, and influence on the development of Christian doctrine

Historical Survey of Jewish Diaspora (597 to 331 B.C.E.)

61

(3)

Hellenization of the Jewish Diaspora

64

(13)

The Septuagint

66

(2)

The Development of Apocalyptic and Wisdom Theology Literature

68

(9)

Philo of Alexandria

77

(8)

The Development of the Synagogue

85

(6)

IV. CHRISTIANITY

91

(28)

An examination of the cultural and social milieu in which Christianity emerged, developed, and spread; the pagan opposition to the spread of Christianity and its criticism of the Christian beliefs; the dialogue that ensued between the two groups for three centuries; and the influence of this dialogue on Christianity's evolution as an organization with its own philosophy and tradition. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the social and psychological reasons for Christianity's success

Primitive Christianity

91

(6)

Rise of Christianity

92

(1)

Growth and Spread of Christianity

93

(4)

Christianity's Encounter with Its Social World

97

(7)

Anti-Christian Polemics

99

(2)

Early Christian Apologies

101

(3)

The Development of Christianity into a Systematic Religious Philosophy

104

(11)

Synthesis of Biblical Christianity and Platonism

105

(8)

Christian Platonism and its Opponents

113

(2)

Success of Christianity

115

(4)

V. GNOSTICISM

119

(24)

An explanation of the term gnosis and its usage during the period under discussion; an examination of the social and political factors for Gnosticism's origin and development, its psychological appeal during the first three centuries C.E., and the reasons for its disappearance at the end of the 3rd century. The chapter will investigate the main tenets basic to all gnostic groups, and will discuss the principal Christian (Basilidean, Marcion and Valentinian) and non-Christian (Hermetic gnostic) thought systems

Nature of Gnosticism

119

(3)

Main Tenets

122

(3)

Principal Gnostic Systems

125

(16)

Christian

125

(10)

Basilides

125

(3)

Marcion

128

(4)

Valentinus

132

(3)

Non-Christian

135

(6)

Gnosticism's Initial Appeal and its Disappearance

141

(2)

VI. SUMMARY

143

(7)

Bibliography

150

(9)

Index

159

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Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials