Rufinus' vivid account of the battle between the Eastern Emperor Theodosius and the Western usurper Eugenius by the River Frigidus in 394 represents it as the final confrontation between paganism and Christianity. It is indeed widely believed that a largely pagan aristocracy remained a powerful and active force well into the fifth century; sponsoring pagan literary circles; patronage of the classics; and propaganda for the old cults in art and literature. The main focus of much modern scholarship on the end of paganism in the West has been on its supposed stubborn resistance to Christianity. The dismantling of this romantic myth is one of the main goals of Alan Cameron's book. Actually; the book argues; Western paganism petered out much earlier and more rapidly than hitherto assumed. The subject of this book is not the conversion of the last pagans but rather the duration; nature; and consequences of their survival. By re-examining the abundant textual evidence; both Christian (Ambrose; Augustine; Jerome; Paulinus; Prudentius) and "pagan" (Claudian; Macrobius; and Ammianus Marcellinus); as well as the visual evidence (ivory diptychs; illuminated manuscripts; silverware); Cameron shows that most of the activities and artifacts previously identified as hallmarks of a pagan revival were in fact just as important to the life of cultivated Christians. Far from being a subversive activity designed to rally pagans; the acceptance of classical literature; learning; and art by most elite Christians may actually have helped the last reluctant pagans to finally abandon the old cults and adopt Christianity. The culmination of decades of research; The Last Pagans of Rome overturns many long-held assumptions about pagan and Christian culture in the late antique West.
#214764 in Books Oxford University Press; USA 2013-03-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x .90 x 9.20l; 1.24 #File Name: 0199930155432 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not good for general readersBy KCThe reason I picked up this book was clear. I wanted to know how Japan could be the only country that was successfully converted to the industrialized nation among the other Asian countries in the era. Therefore; my focus was on the times around Meiji Restoration. In that perspective; I didn't feel this book answered my question satisfactorily. I hoped to learn the modernization process of Japan in relation to other neighboring countries; China and Korea; but I couldn't find much about it. It covers broad spectrum of the social/political conditions of modern Japan; but overall; the way it was written is very dry and monotonous. Like the other reviewer mentioned; this book reads like college textbook; and it will fit good for that purpose.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CustomerA brilliantly written masterpiece of Japanese history since the modern era. Best for college students and interested scholars.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. StudyBy sarah nailGreat price on college books. They arrive in 2 days with prime.
