Sarah Gador-Whyte – författare

This volume brings together experts in ancient Mediterranean societies to explore ways in which space (real and imagined, lived and projected) contributed to conceptualizations of communal “flourishing” in early Christianity and its broad ancient context.How to live well, or “flourish,” has long been an object of theorization; this volume approaches the issue of flourishing in early Christianity from an historical perspective, exploring constructions of and conditions for flourishing in ancient literary, visual and material culture. An introductory chapter offers a theoretical and methodological framework for the book, while subsequent chapters examine the production of spaces (“ethnic,” urban, liturgical, and religio-political) in ancient sources from the fifth century BCE to the eighth century CE, illuminating how they shape, enable, or interrupt aspects of flourishing. By bringing flourishing and space together with the ancient sources, this volume offers an historically grounded account of flourishing which has the ability to clarify and balance these contemporary discussions.Balancing theory with detailed historiographical work, this book offers a crucial intervention in the field of early Christian studies, suitable for students and scholars working on space and the spatial turn in late antiquity and early Christianity.

Theology and Poetry in Early Byzantium examines the kontakia and thought-world of Romanos the Melodist, the sixth-century hymnographer whose vibrant and engaging compositions had a far-reaching influence in the history of Byzantine liturgy. His compositions bring biblical narratives to life through dialogue, encourage a level of participation unparalleled in homiletics and push the boundaries of liturgical expression of theology. This book provides an original analysis of Romanos' poetry, drawing attention to the coherence of his theology and the performative nature of his rhetoric. The main theological themes which emerge encourage the congregation to enact the life of Christ and anticipate the new creation: restoration of humanity to God, re-creation in the incarnation and life of Christ, and liturgical participation and transformation in that life. By analysing the rhetorical performance of theology in the kontakia, the book provides new insights into religious practice in late antiquity.