Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age is a superb introduction to 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, a noted scholar of Late Antiquity, examines the rise of the Hellenistic-Roman world and presents a comprehensive overview of its beliefs and practices, their socio-psychological and historical development, and the reasons for their success or failure. Her work explores Mithraism, Hellenistic Judaism, Christianity, Gnosticism, and the philosophies of Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Middle Platonism. It also includes a review of the principal mystery cults, Demeter in Eleusis, Dionysus, Isis, and Cybele or Magna Mater.
Get more resources with the Eerdmans Studies in Early Christianity (9 vols.)
- Introduces the principal Western religions and their philosophical counterparts
- Presents a comprehensive overview of Hellenistic-Roman beliefs and practices
- Includes a review of the principal mystery cults
- The Hellenistic–Roman World
- Mithraism
- Hellenistic Judaism
- Christianity
- Gnosticism
Top Highlights
“The unsettling conditions of the time led people to long and search for soteria, salvation, a release from the burdens of finitude, the misery and failure of human life. People everywhere were keenly awake to every new message of hope and eagerly prospecting for a personal savior, someone who would bring salvation, i.e., deliverance or protection from the vicissitudes of this life and the perils of the afterlife. This they found in the mystery cults that had penetrated the Greek world.” (Page 2)
“the hope or promise of a life of blessedness after death” (Page 17)
“Christianity’s most important benefit was its sense of community that was not found in any cult or philosophy. It offered its members a true sense of belonging, a sense of security. The Christian community was close-knit, organized, and disciplined and was concerned with every aspect of each member’s life, ready to give whatever assistance one needed in any situation. Its creed was based on love of all humanity, and its charity and philanthropy were universal. This was a major factor in its growth and success.” (Page 147)
“a purification rite by which the initiate is granted admission and participation in the activity of the cult” (Page 17)
“a sense of a personal relationship or communion with the deity or deities of the cult” (Page 17)
An excellent volume. The scope is comprehensive, the treatment is detailed and clear, and the individual sections are succinct, incisive, and authoritative. It is especially welcome to have informed introductions to such diverse phenomena as the Greek mystery cults and philosophical schools, the Jewish synagogue and Jewish wisdom and apocalyptic thought, and the origins, theological development, and eventual success of Christianity all treated clearly, fully, and comprehensively in one book—making it ideal for students studying early Christianity or Late Antiquity in general. As a parachutist’s view of the religious landscape of antiquity, this book is able to include all the major religious traditions and see the converging and diverging patterns in the ways they responded to the new world established by Alexander the Great. Highly recommended.
—Ronald F. Hock, professor of religion, University of Southern California
If someone is looking for one book which will tell them something about the mystery religions, Stoicism, Middle Platonism, Mithraism, Diaspora Judaism, early Christianity and Gnosticism, then this book does just that. Its strength is in its sweep and its readability.
—Expository Times
- Title: Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age
- Author: Antonia Tripolitis
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 2001
- Pages: 175
- Christian Group: Evangelicals
- Resource Type: Topical
- Topic: Ancient History
