Christian women in the Greek papyri of Egypt to 400 CE
By: Erica A. Mathieson
Contributors: Macquarie University. Ancient Cultures Research Centre
Series: Studia antiqua australiensia -- v. 6; Studia antiqua australiensia -- v. 6.
Publisher: Brepols
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Turnhout, Belgium
Language: eng
Number of pages: 311
ISBN-13: 9782503552415
Copyright date: 2014
Subjects: History; Papyrus; Religiöses Leben; Frühchristentum; Manuscripts, Greek (Papyri); Frau; Religious life; Christian women; 15.28 papyrology; Women in Christianity; Early church
Description: The documentary papyri are an unparalleled source for the study of women in antiquity. Among them are numbers of female-authored texts which allow women's voices to be heard. In the period to 400 CE twenty-six of these texts provide information on Christian women's religious lives. This book analyses these papyri. They give insight into Christian women's knowledge and use of biblical texts, their practice of prayer, their theological understanding of God, their lives and relationships. This book also examines texts written to Christian women or referring to Christian women among which are a valuable group referring to ascetic women. The perspectives of the papyri nuance what is known about women from other sources.
Notes: "Ancient Cultures Research Centre, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia."

"This book arose from a doctoral thesis entitled The Perspectives of the Greek papyri of Egypt on the beliefs, practices and experiences of Jewish and Christian women from 100 CE to 400 CE"--Preface.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 282-307) and indexes.

Text in English, with some passages in Greek.
Table of contents: title: Texts written by Christian women; title: Use of biblical vocabulary and imagery; title: Theological positions; title: Practice of prayer; title: Interactions with clergy, ascetics and the church; title: Marriage and family; title: Documents written to Christian women or referring to Christian women; title: Ascetic Christian women; title: Christian women and magic.