Through the close study of texts, Roman Imperial Identities in the Early Christian Era examines the overlapping emphases and themes of two cosmopolitan and multiethnic cultural identities emerging in the early centuries CE - a trans-empire alliance of the Elite and the "Christians." Exploring the cultural representations of these social identities, Judith Perkins shows that they converge around an array of shared themes: violence, the body, prisons, courts, and time.

Locating Christian representations within their historical context and in dialogue with other contemporary representations, it asks why do Christian representations share certain emphases? To what do they respond, and to whom might they appeal? For example, does the increasing Christian emphasis on a fully material human resurrection in the early centuries, respond to the evolution of a harsher and more status based judicial system?

Judith Perkins argues that Christians were so successful in suppressing their social identity as inhabitants of the Roman Empire, that historical documents and testimony have been sequestered as "Christian" rather than recognized as evidence for the social dynamics enacted during the period, Her discussion offers a stimulating survey of interest to students of ancient narrative, cultural studies and gender.

About the Author
Judith Perkins is professor of Classics and Humanities at Saint Joseph College, Connecticut. Her research focuses on the social and cultural dynamics of early Christian representation in its historical matrix. She is the author of The Suffering Self (Routledge 1995).

Reviews

"[T]his is an inspiring monograph that never fails to make its points clear . . . Perkins' book is essential reading for scholars interested in Greek novels and early Christianity." - Alberto Quiroga, Ancient Narrative

"This is a valuable and stimulating contribution to the understanding of the complex interplay between early Christianity and the Roman imperial society and judicial system. It also casts much light onto the backdrop of crucial theological and anthropological Christian conceptions such as the incarnation of Christ and the resurrection of all human beings." -Ilaria L.E. Ramelli, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Review of Biblical Literature, April 2009

"Perkins provides much of interest to both researchers of early Christianity and classicists. She does not aim at a comprehensive picture, but instead provides a series of detailed studies . . . She supplies detailed analysis of both Christian and non-Christian texts and her broad bibliography includes much recent work. The very careful organization of each chapter and use of English translations makes the text accessible to scholars working outside their comfort zones as well as students." -Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Perkins convincingly argues that the emphasis on corporal punishment in Christian texts reflects a rejection of an unequal justice system and the expectation of a future, egalitarian one. . . . Perkins' book not only firmly enunciates the importance of the body for the formation of early Christian identity, but also successfully argues for the cooperation between Classics and Religious Studies. . . . [T]hrough this interdisciplinary lens [she] is able to tease out . . . important conclusions." -Meredith Warren, McGill University, Arc

Book Information
ISBN 9780415594882
Author Judith Perkins
Format Paperback
Page Count 210
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 390g