01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR
Section Information for Fall 2010
This is a course about human imagination and experience of the divine world in the later Roman Empire. In a relatively compact chronological moment, between the second century and the fifth, the religious map of Europe and much of the Middle East changed forever. The old cults of the Mediterranean basin to whom allegiance had been shown since before the beginning of recorded history were replaced in short order Christianity. Our primary task in this course will be to think through these many and rival religious claims in their historical contexts. Topics to be considered include: the older cults of the Roman world in their particular late ancient shape, with special emphasis on those of Isis, Mithras, and Hermes Trismegistus; ideas of the divine among Neo-Platonic and Stoic philosophers; the development of rabbinic Judaism and its place in the Roman world; the rise of Christianity from suspect and proscribed sect to state religion; the many Christianities of the empire; Julian the Apostate; the official end to ancient paganism and its persistence. Requirements include a midterm and final exam, research project, and participation in class discussions.View 3 Other Sections of this Course in this Semester »
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Credits: 3
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