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Scenting Salvation: Ancient Christianity and the Olfactory Imagination
Susan Ashbrook Harvey
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Description for Scenting Salvation: Ancient Christianity and the Olfactory Imagination
Paperback. Using a wide array of Pagan, Jewish, and Christian sources, this book examines the ancient understanding of smell through religious rituals, liturgical practices, mystagogical commentaries, literary imagery, theological discourse, and eschatological expectations. Series: Transformation of the Classical Heritage. Num Pages: 448 pages. BIC Classification: HBLA; HRAX; HRCS. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 229 x 152 x 31. .
This book explores the role of bodily, sensory experience in early Christianity (first seventh centuries AD) by focusing on the importance of smell in ancient Mediterranean culture. Following its legalization in the fourth century Roman Empire, Christianity cultivated a dramatically flourishing devotional piety, in which the bodily senses were utilized as crucial instruments of human-divine interaction. Rich olfactory practices developed as part of this shift, with lavish uses of incense, holy oils, and other sacred scents. At the same time, Christians showed profound interest in what smells could mean. How could the experience of smell be construed in revelatory terms? ... Read more
This book explores the role of bodily, sensory experience in early Christianity (first seventh centuries AD) by focusing on the importance of smell in ancient Mediterranean culture. Following its legalization in the fourth century Roman Empire, Christianity cultivated a dramatically flourishing devotional piety, in which the bodily senses were utilized as crucial instruments of human-divine interaction. Rich olfactory practices developed as part of this shift, with lavish uses of incense, holy oils, and other sacred scents. At the same time, Christians showed profound interest in what smells could mean. How could the experience of smell be construed in revelatory terms? ... Read more
Product Details
Publisher
University of California Press
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2016
Series
Transformation of the Classical Heritage
Condition
New
Weight
612g
Number of Pages
448
Place of Publication
Berkerley, United States
ISBN
9780520287563
SKU
V9780520287563
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 7 to 11 working days
Ref
99-1
About Susan Ashbrook Harvey
Susan Ashbrook Harvey is Professor of Religious Studies at Brown University. She is the author of Asceticism and Society in Crisis: John of Ephesus and The Lives of the Eastern Saints and coauthor of Holy Women of the Syrian Orient, both from UC Press.
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