Paganism and Christianity in Egypt

First published in 1913, this book provides an informative analysis of the transition from Paganism to Christianity in Egypt. Originally designed as a handbook for students of early Christian literature, the text discusses factors in the development of Christian ideas and institutions not easily discerned in the works of Greek and Latin authors. The fundamental importance of ancient religious traditions in the development of Egyptian Christianity is of central importance to the argument, which draws on numerous primary sources. Concise and highly readable, this book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Egyptian history and the development of Christianity.

1. The Egyptian religion at the close of the Ptolemaic era; 2. The Egyptian religion at the beginning of the third century; 3. The beginnings of Christianity: literary evidence; 4. The beginnings of Christianity: further literary and documentary evidence; 5. The beginnings of Christianity: archaeological evidence; 6. Early Christian iconography in Egypt; 7. Some aspects of Gnosticism: Pistis Sophia; 8. The books of Ieou and other Gnostic fragments; 9. The rise of Christian asceticism and monasticism; Index.