Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age PDF
Preview Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age
R E L I G I O NS OF T HE H E L L E N I S T I C - R O M AN A GE Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age ANTONIA TRIPOLITIS WILLIAM B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANY GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN / CAMBRIDGE, U.K. © 2002 Wm. Β. Eerdmans Publishing Co. All rights reserved Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505 / P.O. Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU U.K. Printed in the United States of America 12 11 10 09 08 07 7 6 5 4 32 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Tripolitis, Antonia, 1934- Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman age / Antonia Tripolitis. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-0-8028-4913-7 (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Greece — Religon. 2. Rome — Religion. I. Title. BT722.T75 2002 2θθ'·938 — dc2i 2001040380 www.eerdmans.com C O N T E N TS Abbreviations Introduction I. THE HELLENISTIC-ROMAN WORLD 9 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, Dio- nysus, Isis, Cybele (Magna Mater) — and religious philosophies — Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Middle Platonism — that developed or were revitalized during this time. A. Historical Survey B. The Mystery Cults Demeter at Eleusis Dionysus Isis Cybele — Magna Mater C. Religious Philosophies 36 Stoicism 37 Epicureanism 39 Middle Platonism 41 II. MITHRAISM 47 A study of the cult of Mithras, its origins in Vedic, India, its mystery rites, and its migration throughout the Mediterranean world. Empha- sis will be on the social and psychological factors that caused it to de- velop into a full-fledged, popular religion, and the reasons for its sub- sequent decline and disappearance. A. The Myth and Origins of Mithras 47 B. Mysteries of Mithras 51 C. Influence and Development in the Hellenistic-Roman Age 56 D. Mithraism's Decline and Disappearance 58 III. HELLENISTIC JUDAISM 61 The chapter will begin with a historical overview of the lewish Dias- pora 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 Dias- pora 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 Jew- ish 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 011 the develop- ment of Christian doctrine. A. Historical Survey of Jewish Diaspora (597 to 331 B.C.E.) 61 Β. Hellenization of the Jewish Diaspora 64 TheSeptuagirtt 66 The Development of Apocalyptic and Wisdom Theology Literature 68 C. Philo of Alexandria 77 D. The Development of the Synagogue 85 IV. CHRISTIANITY 91 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 influ- ence 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. A. Primitive Christianity 91 Rise of Christianity 92 Growth and Spread of Christianity 93 B. Christianity's Encounter with Its Social World 97 Anti-Christian Polemics 99 Early Christian Apologies 101 C. The Development of Christianity into a Systematic Religious Philosophy 104 Synthesis of Biblical Christianity and Platonism 105 Christian Platonism and its Opponents 113 D. Success of Christianity 115 V. GNOSTICISM 119 An explanation of the term gnosis and its usage during the period un- der 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. A. Nature of Gnosticism 119 B. Main Tenets 122 C. Principal Gnostic Systems 125 Christian 125 Basilides 125 Marcion 128 Valentinus 132 Non-Christian 135 D. Gnosticism's Initial Appeal and Its Disappearance 141 VI. SUMMARY 143 Bibliography 150 Index 159 A B B R E V I A T I O NS AGJU Arbeiten zur Geschichte des antiken Judentums und des Urchristentums ANRW Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt CRINT Compendia rerum iudaicarum ad Novum Testamentum EPRO Études préliminaires aux religions orientales dans l'empire romain GRBS Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies HTR Harvard Theological Review JMS Journal of Mithraic Studies JRS Journal of Roman Studies NHL James M. Robinson, The Nag Hammadi Library OTL Old Testament Library SBLDS Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series SBT Studies in Biblical Theology SJLA Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity VC Vigiliae christianae Ancient Writings Apuleius Metam. Metamorphoses Cicero Leg. De legibus Clement Paed. Paedagogus (Tutor) Strom. Stromata (Miscellanies)
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