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22 pages, 437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond the Greco-Roman or Jewish Monocle: Reading Philippians and Paul ‘Kaleidoscopically’

by Gregory E. Lamb

Religions 2024, 15(4), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15040467 - 9 Apr 2024

Viewed by 2451

Typically, scholars view/read the enigmatic apostle Paul monolithically—that is, through either a Greco-Roman or Jewish socio-cultural lens. The traditional Lutheran (Greco-Roman/Western) lens was criticized in the mid-/late-twentieth century by scholars highlighting Paul’s Jewishness—resulting in the so-called “New Perspective on Paul” and “Paul within Judaism” movements. This paradigmatic post-Shoah shift of Pauline interpretation begs the questions, “Should we abandon Greco-Roman readings of Paul?” and “Should we continue to read Philippians and Paul through a singular (Jewish) lens?” Building upon the work of Markus Bockmuehl, Abraham Malherbe et al., I argue for an “eclectic and pragmatic” approach. I explain how “monocular” (Greco-Roman or Jewish) and even “binocular” (Greco-Roman and Jewish) approaches flatten Paul’s complex thought world and Sitz im Leben as an in-Christ church-planting missionary. The purpose of this study is to read Philippians and Paul “kaleidoscopically”—considering the distinct Romanitas, juxtaposed and colliding cultures, worldviews, and religions that Paul likely encountered in the cosmopolitan colonia of first-century Philippi. This article transcends the Greco-Roman/Jewish debate surrounding Paul—highlighting the literary and archaeological evidence of competing pagan, Jewish, and Pauline Christ cults in first-century Philippi—and thus encouraging scholars to read Philippians and Paul through a “kaleidoscopic” rather than a monolithic lens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Trends in Pauline Research: Philippians)

18 pages, 6004 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Virtual Living Museum: Integrating the Multi-Layered Histories and Cultural Practices of Gadara’s Archaeology in Umm Qais, Jordan

by Gehan Selim, Monther Jamhawi, Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem, Shouib Ma’bdeh and Andrew Holland

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6721; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116721 - 31 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4768

Abstract

This paper discusses a novel technological approach using virtual heritage technology to reflect Umm Qais heritage’s intertwining and interdependent nature that shapes its identity and value today. It developed the first model of a “virtual living museum” that brings both the tangible and intangible heritage of the site and community together into an integrated virtual environment that gives equal importance to local community narratives, traditions and history. We argue that integrating both human and digital records enriches the virtual twin of cultural heritage sites as a living and more humane experience that best represents the multi-layered and overlapping history of ancient Gadara’s archaeology and the cultural practices within Hara Fouqa and its Ottoman houses. As heritage is neither one dimensional nor frozen in time, virtual experiences must be fluid, dynamic, inclusive, integrative and open to change, reflecting living historical narratives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Tourism, Culture, and Heritage)

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14 pages, 9228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Submergence of the Western Greco-Roman Archaeological Site at the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria: Emerged from High Resolution Geophysical Mapping

by Amr Hamouda, Nader El-Gendy, Ahmed El-Shishtawy, Suzan El-Gharabawy and Ahmed Fekry

Quaternary 2021, 4(3), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat4030022 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4209

Abstract

Marine geophysical surveys were carried out at the underwater site in the south-western sector of the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria, opposite to the Egyptian Sea Scout Club. Survey works aimed to detect and study the surface and subsurface geomorphological changes caused by historic sea-level rise and natural hazards, by integrating the results of high-resolution geophysical mapping for the seafloor textures and the subsurface layers with previously published core data and sea-level records, the survey works employed echo-sounder, side scan sonar, and sub-bottom profiler. Acoustic data were ground-truthed using an ROV camera and sediment grab sampler. Results of bathymetric mapping and sonar imaging outlined two breakwaters and quay corresponding to a submerged ancient port; also, sediment types were classified according to variation in the magnitude of the backscattered intensities. Interpretation of sub-bottom profiles illustrated the depositional sequence of the topmost sedimentary layers where the sediment thicknesses were thickened by rates that perfectly matched with the recorded sea-level rise rate during the last two millennia, as indicated by isopach maps. Anthropogenic activities were noticed in particular outcropping areas on the sub-bottom profiles. The results explained the role of natural hazards and sea-level rise in changing the geomorphology of the coastline and seabed features. Full article

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16 pages, 3429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Contrary to Complementary Models: Central Places and Gateways in the South-Eastern Provence (Arles and Marseille)

by Gregor Utz

Land 2018, 7(3), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/land7030095 - 13 Aug 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6111

Abstract

This paper applies the concepts of gateways and centrality, formerly opposing approaches to spatial planning, by now a powerful merged tool for archaeologists, to understand the dynamics of the evolution of cities and settlements in a long-term perspective. The samples are the two main port cities in South-Eastern Provence (France), Marseille and Arles. By means of several archaeological markers it will be shown how natural landscapes and political control influenced the fate of the economic development of both cities in Greco-Roman times. Therefore, this study focuses on the aspects of trade and administration encompassing the functionality of the ports as trans-shipment centers, the impact of political interference as well as the supply and exchange of long distance and local/regional products. Within this research framework, Marseille emerged as a static gateway for its service area with a distinct perspective on Mediterranean trade. Arles, however, was the main gateway for the whole Rhône corridor in Roman times due to its strategic location in an area characterized by a variety of landscapes and the promotion of politics as a port of the annona. The data presented here aim to reject the frequently used narrative of an ongoing competition between Arles and Marseille in favor of a more nuanced picture of economic interactions and overlapping trading networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Central Places and Un-Central Landscapes: Political Economies and Natural Resources in the Longue Durée)

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