The Emergence of Christianity: Classical Traditions and Modern Revisions by E.R. Dodds

The Emergence of Christianity: Classical Traditions and Modern Revisions is a scholarly book written by E.R. Dodds, a renowned classicist and expert on the ancient world and early Christianity. The book was first published in 1984 and provides a detailed examination of the emergence of Christianity in the context of the classical world. In this book, Dodds examines the various forms of paganism and Christianity in the Roman Empire, and how they interacted with one another. He argues that Christianity did not emerge as a separate religion, but rather developed out of the existing religious traditions of the classical world. He also examines how Christianity adapted to and borrowed from the existing pagan religious practices and beliefs, and how it was able to attract converts from both pagans and Jews. Dodds also examines the role of the state and the Church in the suppression of paganism and the ways in which Christianity was able to establish itself as the dominant religion in the Western World. He also examines the reasons for the decline of paganism and the eventual triumph of Christianity. The book also covers the social and economic factors that contributed to the decline of paganism and the rise of Christianity, such as the decline of the Roman Empire, the emergence of a new class of wealthy, educated and influential people, and the decline of traditional forms of religion. The Emergence of Christianity is a well-researched and thought-provoking book that provides valuable insights into the origins of Christianity and its emergence in the classical world. It is intended for scholars, students, and researchers in the field of ancient history, religious studies, and classics, and provides a unique perspective on the early history of Christianity and its relationship to the classical world.