Dissertation Information for Geoffrey Stephan Nathan NAME: - Geoffrey Stephan Nathan
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- History
SCHOOL:
- University of California, Los Angeles (USA) (1995)
ADVISORS: - Ronald Mellor
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Claudia Rapp - Carole Newlands
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: The Roman family in late antiquity: The endurance of tradition and the rise of Christianity
Abstract: This dissertation describes and analyzes the family in late antiquity. It concentrates on the western Roman Empire in the period from 350 to 500 CE. In particular, the phenomenon of Christianization is discussed.
The first chapter serves as an introduction to the topic. It seeks to explain the rationale for the study as well as discuss models and definitions of "family." It favors a descriptive approach, making broad generalizations so as to understand the richness and diversity of familial experience in the ancient world.
The second chapter is a brief overview of the classical Roman period (100 BCE to 200 CE), which provides a broad outline of important familial features and behavior patterns. The chapter is divided into two sections: the "ideal" family and the "real" one.
The third chapter covers the third century CE. It examines changes and enduring notions of family in post-Severan law through the reign of Diocletian. It also analyzes the growth of Christianity and how certain early Christians created a new agenda of social imperatives.
The fourth chapter looks at the legal reforms of the emperor Constantine. It reaffirms the Evans-Grubbs thesis that the effects of Christianity on the emperor's social legislation were questionable at best. But it also suggests that Constantine's proactive social agenda provided a model for future emperors who were influenced by Christian morality.
The fifth and sixth chapters look at the family in late antiquity as people of that time saw it or, more precisely, how they wanted to see it. The period reveals a definitive Christianization of attitude and outlook. With the reorientation of morality that arose with the new religion's official acceptance came a re-examination of familial interaction and relations.
The seventh chapter analyzes the family in late antiquity as it actually appeared to function. In contrast to the ideal which the sources suggest, behavior and custom seem largely unaffected by the rise of Christianity. The surviving primary evidence supports the contention of Christianity's negligible effects in this sphere of private life.
The eighth chapter serves as a conclusion. It emphasizes Christianity's inability to create a pervasive family model and to effect behavior in those areas where it did differ.
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calculated 2009-02-01 20:16:08
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