Philip A. Harland is Professor at York University, Canada, in the Humanities Department and in the collaborative U of T-York University doctoral programme in Ancient Greek and Roman History. Harland also runs a network of websites relating to Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/)

Harland has provided a rich and broad-ranging inquiry that deserves a place in any mature library.

• Introduction-    Approaches to identity in the ancient Mediterranean world-    Social scientific perspectives-    Identity formation and maintenance among Jews and Christians-    Associations and identityPart 1: Early Christian Identity and the Associations1. Early Christian groups as associations in the Greco-Roman world2. Christ-bearers and fellow-initiates: Local cultural life and Christian identity in Ignatius' lettersPart 2: Familial Dimensions of Group Identity                   3. "Brothers" in congregations and associations4. "Mothers" and "fathers" in associations and synagoguesPart 3: Acculturation and Identity among Judeans and Other Immigrants5. Judeans among associations of immigrants and cultural minorities6. Jewish families and "pagan" guilds at HierapolisPart 4: Encounters and Perceptions of the Other7. Rivalries and the expression of identity: The case of associations at Sardis and Smyrna8. Banquets of the anti-associations and perceptions of cultural minorities and ChristiansConclusionBibliography

Philip A. Harland is Professor at York University, Canada, in the Humanities Department and in the collaborative U of T-York University doctoral programme in Ancient Greek and Roman History. Harland also runs a network of websites relating to Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/)

Harland has provided a rich and broad-ranging inquiry that deserves a place in any mature library.

• Introduction-    Approaches to identity in the ancient Mediterranean world-    Social scientific perspectives-    Identity formation and maintenance among Jews and Christians-    Associations and identityPart 1: Early Christian Identity and the Associations1. Early Christian groups as associations in the Greco-Roman world2. Christ-bearers and fellow-initiates: Local cultural life and Christian identity in Ignatius' lettersPart 2: Familial Dimensions of Group Identity                   3. "Brothers" in congregations and associations4. "Mothers" and "fathers" in associations and synagoguesPart 3: Acculturation and Identity among Judeans and Other Immigrants5. Judeans among associations of immigrants and cultural minorities6. Jewish families and "pagan" guilds at HierapolisPart 4: Encounters and Perceptions of the Other7. Rivalries and the expression of identity: The case of associations at Sardis and Smyrna8. Banquets of the anti-associations and perceptions of cultural minorities and ChristiansConclusionBibliography

Philip A. Harland is Professor at York University, Canada, in the Humanities Department and in the collaborative U of T-York University doctoral programme in Ancient Greek and Roman History. Harland also runs a network of websites relating to Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (http://www.philipharland.com/Blog/)

Harland has provided a rich and broad-ranging inquiry that deserves a place in any mature library.

• Introduction-    Approaches to identity in the ancient Mediterranean world-    Social scientific perspectives-    Identity formation and maintenance among Jews and Christians-    Associations and identityPart 1: Early Christian Identity and the Associations1. Early Christian groups as associations in the Greco-Roman world2. Christ-bearers and fellow-initiates: Local cultural life and Christian identity in Ignatius' lettersPart 2: Familial Dimensions of Group Identity                   3. "Brothers" in congregations and associations4. "Mothers" and "fathers" in associations and synagoguesPart 3: Acculturation and Identity among Judeans and Other Immigrants5. Judeans among associations of immigrants and cultural minorities6. Jewish families and "pagan" guilds at HierapolisPart 4: Encounters and Perceptions of the Other7. Rivalries and the expression of identity: The case of associations at Sardis and Smyrna8. Banquets of the anti-associations and perceptions of cultural minorities and ChristiansConclusionBibliography