On pagans, Jews, and Christians

By Arnaldo Momigliano

Book Description

Renowned historian Arnaldo Momigliano invites readers on an intellectual journey through the interconnected worlds of ancient paganism, Judaism, and Christianity in this thoughtful collection of nineteen essays. Drawing from his contributions to prestigious publications, Momigliano explores how these diverse spiritual traditions shaped one another and continue to influence our modern understanding of faith and culture.

The book examines the rich secular cultures of ancient Greece and imperial Rome alongside the religious developments of Judaism and Christianity, revealing the complex ways these traditions both emerged from and transformed the societies that embraced them. Momigliano demonstrates how religion, ideology, and politics remain deeply intertwined forces that illuminate contemporary spiritual and cultural questions.

Through essays such as "The Disadvantages of Monotheism for a Universal State" and "The Theological Efforts of the Roman Upper Classes in the First Century B.C.," readers encounter fresh perspectives on how different approaches to the divine have shaped civilizations. The personal dimension emerges in "The Jews of Italy," where Momigliano weaves his own family's history into broader historical patterns.

Written with scholarly precision yet accessible clarity, this work offers spiritual seekers and students of religious history valuable insights into how ancient wisdom traditions continue to speak to modern questions about faith, community, and the search for meaning across cultures and centuries.