Paganism in the Roman Empire

�MacMullen�has published several books in recent years which establish him, rightfully, as a leading social historian of the Roman Empire. The current volume exhibits many of the characteristics of its predecessors: the presentation of novel, revisionist points of view�; discrete set pieces of trenchant argument which do not necessarily conform to the boundaries of traditional history; and an impressive, authoritative, and up-to-date documentation, especially rich in primary sources�A stimulating and provocative discourse on Roman paganism as a phenomenon worthy of synthetic investigation in its own right and as the fundamental context for the rise of Christianity.��Richard Brilliant, History�MacMullen�s latest work represents many features of paganism in its social context more vividly and clearly than ever before.��Fergus Millar, American Historical Review�The major cults�are examined from a social and cultural perspective and with the aid of many recently published specialized studies�Students of the Roman Empire�should read this book.��Robert J, Penella, Classical World�A distinguished book with much exact observation�An indispensable mine of erudition on a grand theme.� Henry Chadwick, Times Literary SupplementRamsay MacMullen is Dunham Professor of History and Classics at Yale University and the author of Roman Government�s Response to Crisis, A.D. 235-337 and Roman Social Relations, 50 B.C. to A.D. 284… (more)