Celsus in his World
Philosophy, Polemic and Religion in the Second Century

This book provides a multi-dimensional account of the ancient Greek philosopher, Celsus.

James Carleton Paget (Edited by), Simon Gathercole (Edited by)

9781108832441, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 November 2021

350 pages
23.6 x 16.2 x 3.2 cm, 0.91 kg

'… one of the best comprehensive volumes on Celsus in recent memory.' Juraj Franek, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Celsus penned the earliest known detailed attack upon Christianity. While his identity is disputed and his anti-Christian treatise, entitled the True Word, has been exclusively transmitted through the hands of the great Christian scholar Origen, he remains an intriguing figure. In this interdisciplinary volume, which brings together ancient philosophers, specialists in Greek literature, and historians of early Christianity and of ancient Judaism, Celsus is situated within the cultural, philosophical, religious and political world from which he emerged. While his work is ostensibly an attack upon Christianity, it is also the defence of a world in which Celsus passionately believed. It is the unique contribution of this volume to give voice to the many dimensions of that world in a way that will engage a variety of scholars interested in late antiquity and the histories of Christianity, Judaism and Greek thought.

Introduction James Carleton Paget and Simon Gathercole
1. Of scholarship, piety, and community: origen's purpose(s) in contra celsum Lewis Ayres
Apologetic and internal Christian argument in the contra celsum: a reponse Rowan Williams
2. Annotations on the literary structure of celsus' al?th?s logos with special reference to the second speech of the Jew Johannes Arnold
The problem of the structure of celsus' alethes logos: a response Simon Gathercole
3. Celsus as platonist philosopher David Sedley
4. Celsus' theology: Ineffable logos and impersonal providence George Boys-Stones
5. Origen's celsus and imperial religiosity Teresa Morgan
Celsus on texts and practices of ritual power: a response Sophie Lunn-Rockliffe
6. Celsus, or Philosophy and the second sophistic Gretchen Reydam-Schils
Shaping the religious debate from within second sophistic culture: a response Simon Goldhill
7. Homer in origen, against celsus Richard Hunter
Homer in the polemics between celsus and origen: a response George van Kooten
8. The gospel according to celsus: Celsus' representation of Christianity Loveday Alexander
Celsus on Christianity – a detractor with a constructive agenda: a response Josef Lössl
9. The reception of the alethes logos Sébastien Morlet
Literary influence and polemical tradition: a response William Horbury
10. Celsus' Judaism Philip Alexander
Celsus' Jew as celsus' Christian construct? A response Martin Goodman
11. The multiple personalities of celsus' Jew Judith Lieu
The distinctiveness of Celsus' Jew: a response James Carleton Paget
12. Afterword Mark Edwards.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], Religion & beliefs [HR], Popular philosophy [HPX], Social & political philosophy [HPS], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Philosophy [HP], Social & cultural history [HBTB], History: specific events & topics [HBT]