An enchanted world : the shared religious landscape of late antiquity / Michael L. Satlow.
| Author/creator | Satlow, Michael L. author. |
| Format | Book |
| Publication | Princeton : Princeton University Press, [2026] |
| Copyright Date | ©2026 |
| Description | xiii, 343 pages : illustrations, map ; 25 cm |
| Subjects |
| Physical medium | illustration |
| Physical medium | map |
| Contents | Imagining late antiquity -- Religion and identity in late antiquity -- Belief and bureaucracy: the divine world in late antiquity -- The intellectuals and the making of "religion" -- Beyond transaction: maintaining sacred relationships in daily life -- Divine mediators: specialists, entrepreneurs, and ritual experts -- The spiritual landscape -- Profane and holy time. |
| Abstract | "In Late Antiquity (ca. 200-600 CE), the world was alive with unseen forces--divine agents who influenced every aspect of daily life. For most ordinary people, religion was not found in temples, synagogues, and churches, but in lived experience as they interacted with the supernatural in a world of uncertainty and danger. In An Enchanted World, Michael Satlow uncovers a shared spiritual landscape that stretched beyond the confines of Judaism, Christianity, and the pantheon of Greek and Roman deities. From healing rituals to protective amulets, spiritual practices were a matter of necessity, transcending religious labels. To get by in the world required being on good terms with the right supernatural beings and being able to ward off the bad ones. Rejecting traditional narratives that focus on institutional religion and theological divisions, Satlow presents a compelling case for viewing the period through the lens of "lived religion." This was not a religion of abstractions formulated by rabbis and priests, but an enchanted world populated by divine beings who had as much--if not more--agency as any person. Drawing on archaeological evidence, historical documents, and a rich trove of magical texts, Satlow vividly reconstructs how ordinary people lived in a world that crackled with the energy of the supernatural. His account reimagines the spiritual history of Late Antiquity, centering shared human fears and aspirations and challenging preconceived notions about religious boundaries. With An Enchanted World, Satlow offers a fresh perspective on a transformative period--one that has much to teach us even today about the role that spirituality can play in the secular world."-- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 295-329) and index. |
| Issued in other form | ebook version : 9780691266329 |
| LCCN | 2025938059 |
| ISBN | 9780691256597 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 0691256594 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | (PDF ebook) |
| ISBN | (PDF ebook) |
| Standard identifier# | CIPO000331692 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | Item being cataloged | BL96 .S38 2026 | Item being cataloged | Want This? |