Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman Age

178 Pages·2001·5.52 MB·English

by  Antonía Tripolitis

R E L I G I O NS OF T HE
H E L L E N I S T I C - R O M AN A GE

Religions of the
Hellenistic-Roman Age
ANTONIA TRIPOLITIS
WILLIAM B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANY
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN / CAMBRIDGE, U.K.
© 2002 Wm. Β. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
All rights reserved
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505 /
P.O. Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU U.K.
Printed in the United States of America
12 11 10 09 08 07 7 6 5 4 32
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Tripolitis, Antonia, 1934-
Religions of the Hellenistic-Roman age / Antonia Tripolitis.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8028-4913-7 (pbk.: alk. paper)
1. Greece — Religon. 2. Rome — Religion. I. Title.
BT722.T75 2002
2θθ'·938 — dc2i
2001040380
www.eerdmans.com
C O N T E N TS
Abbreviations
Introduction
I. THE HELLENISTIC-ROMAN WORLD 9
A brief historical survey of the development of the Hellenistic-Roman
Age: Alexander's cosmopolitan vision, how it altered the cultural and
sociopolitical systems of the time, and society's religious response to
the changes brought about by Alexander's universalism. The chapter
includes a discussion of the principal mystery cults — Demeter, Dio-
nysus, Isis, Cybele (Magna Mater) — and religious philosophies —
Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Middle Platonism — that developed or
were revitalized during this time.
A. Historical Survey
B. The Mystery Cults
Demeter at Eleusis
Dionysus
Isis
Cybele — Magna Mater
C. Religious Philosophies 36
Stoicism 37
Epicureanism 39
Middle Platonism 41
II. MITHRAISM 47
A study of the cult of Mithras, its origins in Vedic, India, its mystery
rites, and its migration throughout the Mediterranean world. Empha-
sis will be on the social and psychological factors that caused it to de-
velop into a full-fledged, popular religion, and the reasons for its sub-
sequent decline and disappearance.
A. The Myth and Origins of Mithras 47
B. Mysteries of Mithras 51
C. Influence and Development in the Hellenistic-Roman Age 56
D. Mithraism's Decline and Disappearance 58
III. HELLENISTIC JUDAISM 61
The chapter will begin with a historical overview of the lewish Dias-
pora from the Babylonian Exile (587 B.C.E.) to the Roman conquest
(63 B.c.E-135 c.E.). It will concentrate on the Hellenization of Dias-
pora Judaism that began in 333 B.C.E., its cultural and social factors,
and the development of Hellenistic Jewish literature, theology, and
philosophy; the importance and development of the Hellenistic Jew-
ish synagogue, its art and liturgy, and its influence on Christian
church structure and liturgy. Special attention will be given to Philo
Judaeus (ca. 30 B.c.E-45 C.E.), the most outstanding representative of
Hellenistic Judaism, his thought, works, and influence 011 the develop-
ment of Christian doctrine.
A. Historical Survey of Jewish Diaspora (597 to 331 B.C.E.) 61
Β. Hellenization of the Jewish Diaspora 64
TheSeptuagirtt 66
The Development of Apocalyptic and
Wisdom Theology Literature 68
C. Philo of Alexandria 77
D. The Development of the Synagogue 85
IV. CHRISTIANITY 91
An examination of the cultural and social milieu in which Christianity
emerged, developed, and spread; the pagan opposition to the spread
of Christianity and its criticism of the Christian beliefs; the dialogue
that ensued between the two groups for three centuries; and the influ-
ence of this dialogue on Christianity's evolution as an organization
with its own philosophy and tradition. The chapter concludes with a
discussion of the social and psychological reasons for Christianity's
success.
A. Primitive Christianity 91
Rise of Christianity 92
Growth and Spread of Christianity 93
B. Christianity's Encounter with Its Social World 97
Anti-Christian Polemics 99
Early Christian Apologies 101
C. The Development of Christianity into a
Systematic Religious Philosophy 104
Synthesis of Biblical Christianity and Platonism 105
Christian Platonism and its Opponents 113
D. Success of Christianity 115
V. GNOSTICISM 119
An explanation of the term gnosis and its usage during the period un-
der discussion; an examination of the social and political factors for
Gnosticism's origin and development, its psychological appeal during
the first three centuries C.E., and the reasons for its disappearance at
the end of the 3rd century. The chapter will investigate the main tenets
basic to all gnostic groups, and will discuss the principal Christian
(Basilidean, Marcion and Valentinian) and non-Christian (Hermetic
gnostic) thought systems.
A. Nature of Gnosticism 119
B. Main Tenets 122
C. Principal Gnostic Systems 125
Christian 125
Basilides 125
Marcion 128
Valentinus 132
Non-Christian 135
D. Gnosticism's Initial Appeal and Its Disappearance 141
VI. SUMMARY 143
Bibliography 150
Index 159
A B B R E V I A T I O NS
AGJU Arbeiten zur Geschichte des antiken Judentums und des
Urchristentums
ANRW Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt
CRINT Compendia rerum iudaicarum ad Novum
Testamentum
EPRO Études préliminaires aux religions orientales dans
l'empire romain
GRBS Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies
HTR Harvard Theological Review
JMS Journal of Mithraic Studies
JRS Journal of Roman Studies
NHL James M. Robinson, The Nag Hammadi Library
OTL Old Testament Library
SBLDS Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series
SBT Studies in Biblical Theology
SJLA Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
VC Vigiliae christianae
Ancient Writings
Apuleius Metam. Metamorphoses
Cicero Leg. De legibus
Clement Paed. Paedagogus (Tutor)
Strom. Stromata (Miscellanies)