This volume focuses on religion during the period of Roman imperial rule and its significance in women's lives. It discusses the variety of religious expression, from pagan cults and classical mythology to ancient Judaism and early Christianity, and the wide array of religious functions fulfilled by women. The author analyzes examples from each context, creating an image of this crucial period which laid the foundations of western civilization. The study considers the concepts of religion and of women in the light of post-modern critique.

This volume focuses on religion during the period of Roman imperial rule and its significance in women's lives. It discusses the variety of religious expression, from pagan cults and classical mythology to ancient Judaism and early Christianity, and the wide array of religious functions fulfilled by women. The author analyzes examples from each context, creating an image of this crucial period which laid the foundations of western civilization. The study considers the concepts of religion and of women in the light of post-modern critique.

Deborah Sawyer discusses this crucial yet unresolved question in the context of contemporary and postmodern ideas about gender and power, based on fresh examination of a number of texts from Hebrew and Christian scripture. Such texts offer striking parallels to contemporary gender theories (particularly those of Luce Irigaray and Judith Butler), which have unravelled given notions of power and constructed identity. Through the study of gender in terms of its application by biblical writers as a theological strategy, we can observe how these writers use female characters to undermine human...

Deborah Sawyer discusses this crucial yet unresolved question in the context of contemporary and postmodern ideas about gender and power, based on fresh examination of a number of texts from Hebrew and Christian scripture. Such texts offer striking parallels to contemporary gender theories (particularly those of Luce Irigaray and Judith Butler), which have unravelled given notions of power and constructed identity. Through the study of gender in terms of its application by biblical writers as a theological strategy, we can observe how these writers use female characters to undermine human...

This collection of essays by notable scholars offers a unique, multi-faceted approach to the understanding of the Garden story. Starting with the motifs, context, structure and language of the biblical text itself, the chapters trace the Jewish and Christian exegetical traditions, and developments in literature and iconography. This is an invaluable book for students and scholars of biblical studies, theology, literature, art history and the psychology of religion.