Dating Christmas
Where did Christmas come from? Many have heard the explanation that Christians appropriated a pagan festival, date and customs and all, and simply renamed or reinterpreted it for their own purposes.
Sol Invictus, the Winter Solstice, and the Origins of Christmas
It is well known that we do not know the exact date of the birth of Jesus Christ. In most churches December 25 is celebrated as such, although the Armenian Church retains January 6 (Epiphany).
The separateness of Christians in their interaction with the public life of Imperial Romans, AD 50-313
A study is made of the Roman Empire of the first three centuries, its politics, commerce and industry, and entertainment. The Christians
Pontius Pilate in history and interpretation
This thesis reconstructs what we know of the historical prefect of Judaea and looks at the way in which he is used as a literary character in the works of six first century authors: Philo, Josephus and the writers of the four gospels.
Was the New Testament Influenced by Pagan Religions?
Was the New Testament Influenced by Pagan Religions? By Ronald Nash Published Online (2009) Introduction:
Christian Origins in Britain
It is my intention in this address to examine certain series of buildings and objects that represent the material evidence for the beginnings of Christianity in Britain.
Roman anti-pagan legislation in theory and practice
In a generation, the Empire was transformed from one that persecuted Christianity to one that actively suppressed paganism — a remarkable turn.
Vibia Perpetua's Diary: A Woman's Writing in a Roman Text of its Own
This thesis focuses on such discourse by exploring the diary of the Christian martyr Vibia Perpetua. By an exploration of the diary of Vibia Perpetua historians, at least, are able to hear what a woman had to say about herself and her Roman society.
MARRIAGE IN THE ROMAN IMPERIAL PERIOD
MARRIAGE IN THE ROMAN IMPERIAL PERIOD Konstantinos Mantas (Athens) POLIS: Revista de ideas y formas políticas de la Antigüedad Clásica, 11 (1999), pp.…
An Ancient Love Poem: the Book of Canticle
Are there two or three main participants, and settles on two, King Solomon and the Shulammite? Is the book one unified poem or a collection of love lyrics?