Gods, Spirits, and Worship in the Greco-Roman World and Early Christianity

Greco-Roman religions and superstitions, and early Christianity's engagement with them, are explored using 12 unique studies. The beliefs and fears with regard to demons (or daimons), their origins, and threatening behavior are examined, both in their pagan and Judaeo-Christian contexts. New studies look at the Greco-Roman heroic gods, how they faced death, and how James and John, the "sons of Thunder," may well have been viewed in some circles as the equivalent of the "sons of Zeus", Castor and Pollux.

Other studies include Roman omens, especially as they relate to Rome's legendary founder Romulus and what light they shed on the omens that accompany the birth and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Three studies focus on Paul, binding spells, women and hymns of exaltation. Another study looks at atheism in late antiquity, with special consideration of the charlatan Alexander, while the final study revisits the confusion, misinformation and legends surrounding the discovery of the Qumran caves, including fear of jinn.