Letters and Communities: Studies in the Socio-Political Dimensions of Ancient Epistolography (eds. Paola Ceccarelli, Lutz Doering, Thorsten Fögen, and Ingo Gildenhard; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018) (original) (raw)

In the ancient world, letter-writing not only forged connections between individuals, but also helped to construct and cultivate group-identities and communities. This volume explores the interrelation of epistolary communication and socio-political practice across four key cultural configurations: Greece, Rome, Judaism, and Christianity. • Incorporates a range of original case studies, offering new insights into the socio-political dimensions of letter-writing in the ancient world across key cultural contexts • Utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to ancient epistolography, drawing on Jewish and Biblical studies, classics, and ancient history, and combining both literary and historical perspectives on this vital aspect of antiquity