Year of Graduation
2021
Level of Access
Open Access Thesis
Embargo Period
5-19-2021
Department or Program
Classics
First Advisor
Michael Nerdahl
Abstract
Alexander the Great and the Rise of Christianity focuses on the political, mythical, and philosophical connection between Alexander the Great's life and the beginnings of early Christianity. The first chapter of the text focuses on an analysis of mythical conceptions of Alexander the Great as “Son of God” as well as cultural perceptions of him as “Philosopher King” and cosmopolitan, and how these portraits of Alexander were influential for Christianity. The second chapter analyzes Alexander’s relationship with the Jewish people, and his appearances in the Old Testament apocalyptic Book of Daniel. The last chapter discusses Alexander’s relationship with Christianity itself, seen through a study of the life of Jesus, Alexandrian Judaism, and the early Christian apologists.
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, History of Christianity Commons, Other Religion Commons, Political History Commons, Social History Commons