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Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2025

Stefanie Lenk
Affiliation:
Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
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Summary

The Introduction provides an in-depth exploration of how late antique Christian communities in the Mediterranean reconciled their Roman and Christian identities through baptismal art. It raises pivotal questions: did such art serve to confirm both Roman and Christian identities? Could this art reflect a form of Christianity less orthodox due to its Roman cultural influences? Various case studies are presented, each spotlighting a different aspect of Roman cultural affiliation in baptismal spaces – ranging from the absence of explicitly Christian imagery to the inclusion of ‘pagan’ iconographies and classical motifs. Whether in Numidia, Lusitania, or Ravenna, these communities reveal a complex relationship with their Roman heritage, often challenging ecclesiastical norms. Despite the political disintegration of the western Roman Empire, the chapter underscores the extensive interconnectedness of the Mediterranean world, pointing out the shared cultural elements in baptismal art from the East to the far West. The chapter argues that these artistic choices are not mere coincidences but are indicative of a shared Roman culture that transcends geographical and political boundaries.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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  • Introduction
  • Stefanie Lenk, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
  • Book: Roman Identity and Lived Religion
  • Online publication: 08 February 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009408677.002
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  • Introduction
  • Stefanie Lenk, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
  • Book: Roman Identity and Lived Religion
  • Online publication: 08 February 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009408677.002
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Introduction
  • Stefanie Lenk, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
  • Book: Roman Identity and Lived Religion
  • Online publication: 08 February 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009408677.002
Available formats
×