ONLY CONNECT? NETWORK ANALYSIS AND RELIGIOUS CHANGE IN THE ROMAN WORLD

Autores

  • Greg Woolf Institute of Classical Studies, University of London.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22409/rh.v2i2.10568

Palavras-chave:

Religious change, Network analysis, Roman Empire.

Resumo

The emergence during the Roman Empire of new religious forms and groups alongside the collective cults of the city and ruler worship invites analysis in terms of various kinds of network theory. Some of the main version of network theory currently in use are examined, and their applicability to ancient material is discussed and assessed. Network thinking turns out to be very useful, but the problems in conducting a more formal network analysis are formidable. Network theory does allow us to approach religious change from new directions and two models of change in current use – conversion as contagion, and religious change as the spread of idea – are examined. Thinking about religious change in these terms forces historians to formulate more precise descriptions of change as a process that involves socialization and the routinization of new habits and rituals, as well as a process of learning a new way of imagining and describing the cosmos.

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Biografia do Autor

Greg Woolf, Institute of Classical Studies, University of London.

Since 1st January 2015 I have been Professor of Classics the Directorship of theInstitute of Classical Studies in the School of Advanced Study, University of London.I have served as Pro-Dean for Central Academic Initiatives and am currently Pro-Dean Postgraduates and Acting Deputy Dean in the School

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Publicado

2016-10-08