Animal Sacrifice in the Roman Empire (31 BCE-395 CE): Power, Communication, and Cultural Transformation...

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J. B. Rives (Kenan Eminent Professor of Classics, Kenan Eminent Professor of Classics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Animal Sacrifice in the Roman Empire (31 BCE-395 CE)

Power, Communication, and Cultural Transformation

J. B. Rives (Kenan Eminent Professor of Classics, Kenan Eminent Professor of Classics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

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English

Oxford University Press Inc
18 July 2024

Archaeology by period & region; Ancient religions & mythologies

For over a thousand years, the practice of animal sacrifice held a central place in ancient Graeco-Roman culture as a means of both demonstrating piety to the gods and structuring social relationships. As Christianity took root in Rome in the third century CE, the cultural role of this practice changed dramatically. In Animal Sacrifice in the Roman Empire (31 BCE-395 CE), J. B. Rives explores the shifting socio-economic, political, and cultural significance of animal sacrifice in this crucial period of change.

Drawing on literary, epigraphic, archaeological, art historical, philosophical, and scriptural evidence, this volume provides a comprehensive and detailed study of the central role of animal sacrifice in the ancient Mediterranean world and traces the changes in its social function and cultural significance during the period when that world became Christianized.

By focusing on the evolution of this specific cultural practice, Rives illustrates the larger phenomenon of the religious and cultural transformation taking place in the Graeco-Roman world in the third and fourth centuries CE, providing a unique perspective which will appeal to scholars across religious and classical studies.

By: J. B. Rives (Kenan Eminent Professor of Classics Kenan Eminent Professor of Classics University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 122mm, Width: 231mm, Spine: 36mm
Weight: 862g
ISBN: 9780197648919
ISBN 10: 0197648916
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 18 July 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Chapter 1. Introduction Part I. The Practice of Animal Sacrifice in the Roman Empire Prologue: The Sacrifices of Nestor (Odyssey 3.5-66 and 418-72) Chapter 2. The Economics of Animal Sacrifice Chapter 3. Animal Sacrifice and Euergetism in the Roman Empire Chapter 4. Animal Sacrifice and Graeco-Roman Culture Chapter 5. Animal Sacrifice and the Roman Emperor Epilogue Part II. Discourses of Animal Sacrifice in Graeco-Roman Culture and Early Christianity Prologue: Paul and Barnabas at Lystra (Acts 14.8-18) Chapter 6. Theorizing Animal Sacrifice I: From Hesiod to Plutarch (c.700 BCE to c.100 CE) Chapter 7. The Early Christian Displacement of Animal Sacrifice (c.50-c.150 CE) Chapter 8. Theorizing Animal Sacrifice II: From Apollonius to Iamblichus (c.100-c.300 CE) Epilogue Part III. Transformations of Animal Sacrifice in Late Antiquity Prologue: The Decree of Decius (SB I.443) Chapter 9. The Obligations of Empire: Decius to the Tetrarchs (250-313 CE) Chapter 10. From Roman to Pagan: Constantine to Theodosius I (313-395 CE) Epilogue Chapter 11. The End of Animal Sacrifice? References

J. B. Rives is Kenan Eminent Professor of Classics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His previous books include Religion in the Roman World, Tacitus: Germania (as translator and editor), and Flavius Josephus and Flavian Rome (as coeditor).

Reviews for Animal Sacrifice in the Roman Empire (31 BCE-395 CE): Power, Communication, and Cultural Transformation

Animal Sacrifice in the Roman Empire takes its place as the most important study yet of animal sacrifice, its practices and politics, through the centuries and vicissitudes of the Roman empire. The book provides lucid and theoretically-informed explanations of sacrifice in the cultural lives of Greek and Roman cities as well as the best interpretation yet of the Edict of the emperor Decius, which many Christians took as deliberate persecution. The book should be required reading for any course in Roman history, the rise of Christianity, or the world of ancient Judaism. * David Frankfurter, Boston University * In this convincing and well-written book, James Rives details how animal sacrifice maintained its essential role in ancient Roman society for centuries and how, as that role evolved, the ritual became a flashpoint in the competition between pagan and Christian authorities. * Celia Schultz, University of Michigan *