Philip A. Harland is an associate professor in humanities and ancient history at York University. His recent books on social and religious life in the Greco-Roman world include "Associations, Synagogues, and Congregations" (2003) and "Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians" (2009). He also runs a group of websites, a podcast, and a blog on religions of the ancient Mediterranean at philipharland.com.