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

by: Rives, J.B.

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

J. B. Rives

Analyzes the complex transformation of religion from 31 BCE-395 CE through the specific lens of animal sacrifice practices
Draws on broad interdisciplinary research, including literary, epigraphic, archaeological, art historical, philosophical, and scriptural evidence
Offers an interdisciplinary perspective appealing to scholars across historical and religious studies

Description
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.

Table of Contents
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

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

by: Rives, J.B.

• ISBN-13: 9780197648919 / 978-0-19-764891-9
• ISBN-03: 0197648916 / 0-19-764891-6
• Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2024