Religion in theReligion in theGraeco-Roman WorldGraeco-Roman World

From Augustus to ConstantineFrom Augustus to Constantine

Anxiety & LongingAnxiety & Longing

► Existential “anxiety”Existential “anxiety” Question of life purposeQuestion of life purpose Threat to traditional Gods due to influx of new cultsThreat to traditional Gods due to influx of new cults Debunking of traditional myths among educated Debunking of traditional myths among educated

classesclasses► Shift toward “monotheism”Shift toward “monotheism”

Platonist focus on The OnePlatonist focus on The One Aristotelian emphasis on “Unmoved Mover,” Aristotelian emphasis on “Unmoved Mover,”

Supreme MindSupreme Mind Pantheism (or panentheism) among philosophersPantheism (or panentheism) among philosophers

► Stoic teaching of the Universal Logos (pervading Stoic teaching of the Universal Logos (pervading world soul)world soul)

► Divine “spark” in human logosDivine “spark” in human logos► Appeal of revealed religionAppeal of revealed religion

Oriental religions, esp. mystery cultsOriental religions, esp. mystery cults Oracles & prophetic cultsOracles & prophetic cults

Humans as Fallen SoulsHumans as Fallen Souls

► Merging of Platonism & Merging of Platonism & Aristotelianism in popular philosophyAristotelianism in popular philosophy

► Hierarchy of beingHierarchy of being The One The One —— Good Good Nous (Mind) Nous (Mind) — Intelligibles— Intelligibles Psyche (Soul) Psyche (Soul) — Souls— Souls Hyle (Hyle (MatterMatter) ) — Privation, absence of — Privation, absence of

form; evilform; evil► Path of spiritual ascentPath of spiritual ascent

Humans are fallen souls; true home is Humans are fallen souls; true home is Nous (or The One)Nous (or The One)

Ascend through contemplation; return to Ascend through contemplation; return to originsorigins

Origen of Alexandria Origen of Alexandria (c. C.E. 182(c. C.E. 182––251)251)

► Peri ArchonPeri Archon ( (de Principiisde Principiis))► The Fall results from turn The Fall results from turn

away from contemplation away from contemplation of the One to focus on of the One to focus on individual intelligencesindividual intelligences

► Result is Result is diaphoradiaphora (dispersion; multiplicity)(dispersion; multiplicity)

► Fall from permanence Fall from permanence into time (living into time (living successively)successively)

► Salvation is Salvation is anakephaliosisanakephaliosis (“recapitulation”; return (“recapitulation”; return to original state of unity)to original state of unity)

GnosticismGnosticism

►Most influential proponentsMost influential proponents BasilidesBasilides MarcionMarcion Valentinus (d. c. 160)Valentinus (d. c. 160)

►GnosisGnosis is not mere “knowledge” is not mere “knowledge” Secret wisdomSecret wisdom Deep comprehension/realization of the truthDeep comprehension/realization of the truth

► Existential problem: “things fall apart”Existential problem: “things fall apart”► Solution: liberation from material to spiritual Solution: liberation from material to spiritual

realmrealm

Orders of BeingOrders of Being► Three levels of existence:Three levels of existence:

Pneumatic (divine; true being; good)Pneumatic (divine; true being; good) Psychic (divine “spark”)Psychic (divine “spark”) Hylic or sarkic (tends toward non-being; evil, deprivation)Hylic or sarkic (tends toward non-being; evil, deprivation)

► Three concomitant types of humansThree concomitant types of humans Pneumatics comprise body, soul, & spiritPneumatics comprise body, soul, & spirit Psychics comprise body & soulPsychics comprise body & soul Hylics or sarkics comprise body onlyHylics or sarkics comprise body only

► Three “ends” of such human beingsThree “ends” of such human beings Pneumatics predestined to salvation (i.e., spiritual liberation and Pneumatics predestined to salvation (i.e., spiritual liberation and

restoration to the restoration to the PleromaPleroma)) Psychics capable of salvation through works (requires liberation Psychics capable of salvation through works (requires liberation

of soul from the body)of soul from the body) Sarkics simply will die; no chance for salvation (there is nothing Sarkics simply will die; no chance for salvation (there is nothing

to save!)to save!)► See See The Tripartite TractateThe Tripartite Tractate 118 118––124124