God against the gods : the history of the war between monotheism and polytheism / Jonathan Kirsch.
Kirsch, Jonathan, 1949-
2004
BL221 .K57 2004 (Mapit)
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Title God against the gods : the history of the war between monotheism and polytheism / Jonathan Kirsch.
Author Kirsch, Jonathan, 1949-
ISBN 0965916774 (pbk. : alk. paper)
9780965916776 (pbk. : alk. paper)
0670032867 (alk. paper)
9780670032860 (alk. paper)
Publication Details New York : Viking Compass, 2004.
Language English
Description xii, 336 p. ; 21 cm.
Call Number BL221 .K57 2004
Dewey Decimal Classification 291.1/4
Summary In this ... book, [the author] explores the final struggle between monotheism and polytheism in the ancient world, a war that was fought by a series of charismatic, visionary but also violent monarchs in the name of the One True God - an Egyptian pharaoh, a Jewish king, and two Roman emperors. Contrary to the conventional wisdom of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the world of classical paganism was not steeped in sin. In fact, [according to the author], religious liberty and diversity were core values of classical paganism, and it was monotheism that introduced the terrors of true belief, including holy war, martyrdom, inquisitions, and crusades.-Dust jacket.
Bibliography, etc. Note Includes bibliographical references and index.
Record Appears in On-Campus Resources > Books
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Prologue: The everlasting fire
bk. 1. The god that failed: Against all the gods of Egypt : a young pharaoh's experiment in monotheism and why it failed. What did pagans do? : the case against classical paganism, and why it was wrong. Terror and true belief: The Jewish king who reinvented the faith of ancient Israel. Confessors and traitors: pagans and Christians go to war in ancient Rome
bk. 2. War of God against the gods: "In this sign, conquer": the curious encounter of Christ and Constantine in the struggle for the Roman crown. The harlot in the bishop's bed : the war within the Christian church over the divinity of Christ. The ruler of the whole world : the invention of the totalitarian state by the first Christian Emperor of Rome. The orphans of Macellum : The Christian prince who survived a blood purge and struggled for the restoration of paganism. The secret pagan : Gods, empresses, and Julian's unlikely rise to the imperial throne. "Behold, the rivers are running backwards" : the pagan counterrevolution of the Emperor Julian. The handless scribe : the price of victory of the only true god.

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