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/)

"Drawing from insights of the social sciences, Harland seeks to clarify certain dynamics of identity among groups of Judeans and Christians by looking at archaeological evidence for other contemporary associations and cultural minority groups. He covers Judean and Christians identities in the context of associations, familial dimensions of group identity, identity and acculturation among Judeans and other ethnic associations, and group interactions and rivalries. Specific topics include brothers in associations and congregations, Judean families and guilds at hierapolis, associations at Sardis and Smyrna, and anti-associations and their banquets." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.

• 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/)

"Drawing from insights of the social sciences, Harland seeks to clarify certain dynamics of identity among groups of Judeans and Christians by looking at archaeological evidence for other contemporary associations and cultural minority groups. He covers Judean and Christians identities in the context of associations, familial dimensions of group identity, identity and acculturation among Judeans and other ethnic associations, and group interactions and rivalries. Specific topics include brothers in associations and congregations, Judean families and guilds at hierapolis, associations at Sardis and Smyrna, and anti-associations and their banquets." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.

• 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/)

"Drawing from insights of the social sciences, Harland seeks to clarify certain dynamics of identity among groups of Judeans and Christians by looking at archaeological evidence for other contemporary associations and cultural minority groups. He covers Judean and Christians identities in the context of associations, familial dimensions of group identity, identity and acculturation among Judeans and other ethnic associations, and group interactions and rivalries. Specific topics include brothers in associations and congregations, Judean families and guilds at hierapolis, associations at Sardis and Smyrna, and anti-associations and their banquets." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.

• 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