Pagans and Christians

This history studies the religious life of the Roman Empire from the second century to the age of Constantine, asking how traditional cults, civic festivals, oracles, and private piety stood beside the growth of Christian communities. Lane Fox uses inscriptions, martyr acts, panegyrics, and the career of Constantine to show how sacrifice, bishoprics, and imperial favour redistributed power. He treats pagan practice as a living system rather than a backdrop, and Christianity as a set of local churches before it became a state religion. The book is a work of ancient history, not a theological treatise.

Numerous coloured illustrations. Gilt blocked black cloth binding. Black slipcase with decoration in gold.