Religion in Late Roman Britain: Forces of Change

ISBN-13: 9780415118552 / Angielski / Twarda / 1998 / 220 str.

Dorothy Watts

Opis

This text explores the changes in religion over the 4th century and the historical background for these changes and the forces which contributed to them. Dorothy Watts examines the reasons for the decline of Christianity and the continuation of the pagan, Celtic cults in Britain. She establishes a chronology for the rise and decline of Christianity, based on the available archaeological evidence, and she charts the fate of the pagan cults and temples in the 4th century. The book discusses the nature of Romano-British pagan religion and analyzes the controversial rite of decapitated burial in the light of some startling new archaeological evidence. Dr Watts argues that religion was a dynamic construct, responsive to external pressures and influences. The book presents an analysis of the religions in late Roman Britain.

Recenzje

"This is an important book with important things to say..." - Ancient, 98

'It deserves to be read with care as it is the result of considerable scholarship. I do not know of a better brief account.' - Martin Henig, The Antiquaries Journal

Spis treści

List of Figures, Preface, 1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AD 294-360: The Empire: Diocletian, Constantine and his House, Britain: Paganism and the Rise of Christianity, 2. THE PAGAN REVIVAL OF THE LATE FOURTH CENTURY AD 360-90: The Paganism of Julian, Paganism under Julian's Successors, Paganism at Rome, The Survival and Revival of Paganism in Britain, 3. CLOSURE OF THE TEMPLES AND BEYOND: Paganism and its Survival in Britain, The Nature of the Pagan Revival in Britain, Christianity and its Fate, Political Events in Late Fourth Century and their Effects on Christianity, 4. FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR THE REVIVAL OF PAGANISM: Decapitated Burials, Combs in Late Romano-British Burials, 5.THE ECONOMY AND RELIGION IN THE LATE PERIOD: The Economy in the Fourth Century, Reasons for Decline in the Economy, Effects on Religion, 6. THE QUESTION OF SYNCRETISM: Inscriptions and Temples, The Evidence of the Cemeteries, Syncretism in Religious Art, 7. CHANGE AND CONTINUITY, Appendix 1: Religion and the Fasti 353-94, Appendix 2: A Lead Tank Fragment from Brough, Notts (Roman Crococalana), Notes, Bibliography: Archaeological and Secondary Sources, Index.

O autorze

Dr Dorothy Watts is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Queensland and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. She is the author of Christians and Pagans in Roman Britain (1991).