Publisher's Synopsis
The Pagan Background of Early Christianity is a comprehensive exploration of the cultural, religious, and philosophical influences that shaped the development of Christianity in its earliest years. Written by W. R. Halliday, a renowned scholar of ancient history and religion, this book draws on a vast array of primary sources to trace the roots of Christian beliefs and practices back to their pagan origins.Halliday begins by examining the social and political context of the Roman Empire during the first few centuries CE, showing how the religious landscape was marked by a diverse array of cults and belief systems. He then delves into the various philosophical movements that emerged during this time, including Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Neoplatonism, and explores how these worldviews influenced early Christian thought.Throughout the book, Halliday provides detailed analyses of key concepts and practices within early Christianity, such as baptism, the Eucharist, and the role of the clergy. He also examines the ways in which Christian beliefs and practices were adapted from earlier pagan traditions, such as the worship of Mithras and the cult of Isis.Overall, The Pagan Background of Early Christianity offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex interplay between pagan and Christian cultures during a pivotal period in world history. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the origins of Christianity and the broader context in which it emerged.This is a new release of the original 1925 edition.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
