Dynamics of Monotheism in Late Antiquity

The fundamental transformation of religion in late antiquity is usually perceived as the passage from Greco-Roman polytheism to Christian monotheism. The present work seeks to offer a more sophisticated analysis of the complex relations between polytheistic, dualistic, and monotheistic trends in late antique religion.

List of contents

• Introduction: A Religious Revolution


• 1: Origen, Plotinus, and Unio Mystica


• 2: Henotheizing Pagans and Abraham's Religion


• 3: Varieties of Dualism


• 4: A Just God or a Good God?


• 5: Election and Ethnicity


• 6: Discourse and Violence


• 7: One God, One Self?


• Conclusion: Political Repercussions of Monotheism

About the author

Guy G. Stroumsa is Martin Buber Professor Emeritus of Comparative Religion, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Professor Emeritus of the Study of the Abrahamic Religions, and Emeritus Fellow of Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford. He is a Member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, of the Academia Europea, and of the British Academy. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Zurich. He received the Humboldt Research Award, the Leopold-Lucas Prize, and the Rothschild Prize. He is a Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite.

Product details

• Authors: Stroumsa Guy G.
• Publisher: Oxford Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 05.11.2025
• EAN: 9780198973386
• ISBN: 978-0-19-897338-6
• Series: Oxford Studies in the Abrahamic Religions
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; PHILOSOPHY / Religious, RELIGION / History, comparative religion, RELIGION / Comparative Religion, RELIGION / Philosophy, History of Religion, Religious issues & debates, Philosophy of religion, Religious issues and debates