04229nam 2200613Ia 450 991045466860332120200520144314.00-674-04304-910.4159/9780674043046(CKB)1000000000786821(StDuBDS)AH23050873(SSID)ssj0000195926(PQKBManifestationID)11179008(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000195926(PQKBWorkID)10131546(PQKB)11138379(MiAaPQ)EBC3300377(Au-PeEL)EBL3300377(CaPaEBR)ebr10318367(OCoLC)923110938(DE-B1597)585411(DE-B1597)9780674043046(EXLCZ)99100000000078682120010719d2002 uy 0engur|||||||||||txtccrThe making of a Christian aristocracy[electronic resource] social and religious change in the western Roman Empire /Michele Renee SalzmanCambridge, MA Harvard University Press20021 online resource (xiv, 354 p.) Originally published: 2002.0-674-01603-3 Includes bibliographical references (p. 269-341) and index.Preface 1. Approaches to a Paradox 2. Defining the Senatorial Aristocracy 3. Aristocratic Men: Social Origins 4. Aristocratic Men: Career Paths 5. Aristocratic Women 6. The Emperor's Influence on Aristocratic Conversion 7. The Aristocrats' Influence on Christianity Tables Appendix 1: Sources, Criteria, and Variables for the Database Appendix 2: Names and Religious Affiliation of Aristocrats in the Study Appendix 3: Sources for the Database-Addenda and Corrigenda to PLRE Appendix 4: High Office Holders Abbreviations and Frequently Cited Works Notes IndexWhat did it take to cause the Roman aristocracy to turn to Christianity, changing centuries-old beliefs and religious traditions? This title takes a fresh look at this much-debated question, looking at the historical evidence in order to try and understand why pagan aristocrats decided to convert to Christianity.What did it take to cause the Roman aristocracy to turn to Christianity, changing centuries-old beliefs and religious traditions? Michele Salzman takes a fresh approach to this much-debated question. Focusing on a sampling of individual aristocratic men and women as well as on writings and archeological evidence, she brings new understanding to the process by which pagan aristocrats became Christian, and Christianity became aristocratic. Roman aristocrats would seem to be unlikely candidates for conversion to Christianity. Pagan and civic traditions were deeply entrenched among the educated and politically well-connected. Indeed, men who held state offices often were also esteemed priests in the pagan state cults: these priesthoods were traditionally sought as a way to reinforce one's social position. Moreover, a religion whose texts taught love for one's neighbor and humility, with strictures on wealth and notions of equality, would not have obvious appeal for those at the top of a hierarchical society. Yet somehow in the course of the fourth and early fifth centuries Christianity and the Roman aristocracy met and merged. Examining the world of the ruling class--its institutions and resources, its values and style of life--Salzman paints a fascinating picture, especially of aristocratic women. Her study yields new insight into the religious revolution that transformed the late Roman Empire.Christian convertsRomeAristocracy (Social class)Religious lifeRomeChristian sociologyHistoryEarly church, ca. 30-600Electronic books.Christian convertsAristocracy (Social class)Religious lifeChristian sociologyHistory248.240938Salzman Michele Renee166693MiAaPQMiAaPQMiAaPQBOOK9910454668603321The making of a Christian aristocracy2142941UNINA