Classics

Paul von Otting is the first to present a comprehensive monograph on the cultural history of the (late) ancient death penalty, critically revising the prevailing conception of a regime of violence during this period. In addition, he determines the place of capital punishment within the changing society and culture of the late antique world, offering new insights into the nature of pre-modern criminal justice.

David Wyman examines documentary and literary sources to compose a detailed description of civic benefaction, including the phenomenon of benefactors who risk their lives. He then analyzes how Paul's letter to the Galatians incorporates the language, motifs, and relational dynamics of benefaction.

Research is currently discovering the Letter to the Ephesians as an independent voice on other topics than ecclesiology that were also of interest to Paul. The contributors to this volume take this increased interest into account and discuss Deutero-Paul's Christological design, his revision of the Corpus Paulinum and the Letter to the Colossians, his early Christian interpretation of Greek philosophy and science, and his anthropological concept.

Do the Gospel of John and Stoicism, since they share significant vocabularies and terms such as Logos and Pneuma , indicate a shared understanding of God, the world, and living well? Fergus J. King compares their worldviews and ethical teachings and finds that they are significantly different in their conclusions.