The Cambridge History of Christianity: Volume 2, Constantine to c.600

Description

This volume in the Cambridge History of Christianity presents the 'Golden Age' of patristic Christianity. After episodes of persecution by the Roman government, Christianity emerged as a licit religion enjoying imperial patronage and eventually became the favoured religion of the empire. The articles in this volume discuss the rapid transformation of Christianity during late antiquity, giving specific consideration to artistic, social, literary, philosophical, political, inter-religious and cultural aspects. The volume moves away from simple dichotomies and reductive schematizations (e.g., 'heresy v. orthodoxy') toward an inclusive description of the diverse practices and theories that made up Christianity at this time. Whilst proportional attention is given to the emergence of the Great Church within the Roman Empire, other topics are treated as well - such as the development of Christian communities outside the empire.

Augustine Casiday is Leverhulme Fellow, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University. Frederick W. Norris is Professor Emeritus of World Christianity, Emmanuel School of Religion.

'The twenty-nine essays in total paint a rich canvas of late antique Christianity in its many facets and illustrate the equally lively and varied engagement of current scholarship with this fascinating period ... The contributors, editors and the Press must be congratulated for a volume to which the scholarly community will come back for many years as a standard reference tool.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History '... elegant and learned essay ... sweeping and evocative narrative ... The volume more than justifies the historiographical assumption of contingent and variable early medieval "Christianities" rather an unchanging and immutable "Christianity" ...impressive study of conversion ... rewarding ...splendid ... a good and critical survey ... excellent ... sophisticated and thought-provoking ... at once capture[s] the divinity, artfulness, and physical sensuality of texts ... outstanding, expertly and eloquently examining how cults and their saints were capable of "endless reinvention" ... All in all, Early Medieval Christianities, c.600-c.1100 is a worthy volume about Christians and their various "Christianities".' Church History