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Religion, Dynasty, and Patronage in Early Christian Rome, 300–900

Name: Religion, Dynasty, and Patronage in Early Christian Rome, 300–900
ISBN: 9780521131278

Kate Cooper (Editor), Julia Hillner (Editor)

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Traces the central role played by aristocratic patronage in the transformation of the city of Rome at the end of antiquity. It moves away from privileging the administrative and institutional developments related to the rise of papal authority as the paramount theme in the city's post-classical history. Instead the focus shifts to the networks of reciprocity between patrons and their dependents. Using material culture and social theory to challenge traditional readings of the textual sources, the volume undermines the teleological picture of ecclesiastical sources such as the Liber Pontificalis, and presents the lay, clerical, and ascetic populations of the city of Rome at the end of antiquity as interacting in a fluid environment of alliance-building and status negotiation. By focusing on the city whose aristocracy is the best documented of any ancient population, the volume makes an important contribution to understanding the role played by elites across the end of antiquity.

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Kate Cooper

7 books20 followers

I'm so happy to share my newest book QUEENS OF A FALLEN WORLD with you. This history tells the story of the last years of the Roman Empire through the eyes of four women who left their mark on the world thanks to what is possibly the greatest autobiography of Latin literature, the fourth-century Christian bishop Augustine of Hippo’s CONFESSIONS.

It's well known that Augustine had a close relationship with his mother Saint Monica, but the other women in Augustine’s life are equally fascinating. Piecing together their side of the story on the basis of fragmentary sources was a matter of detective work and a labour of love. A number of readers have said their story reads like a novel, but it it is all properly documented in the end notes!

I'm also the author of BAND OF ANGELS: THE FORGOTTEN WORLD OF EARLY CHRISTIAN WOMEN, which tells the larger story about how women shaped the world of early Christianity.

Thanks for visiting and for reading! And do please leave a review if you can spare a moment!

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