Archaeology of Religion in the Roman World

Call For Papers: The Archaeology of Religion in the Roman World section invites papers for three sessions: 1. What’s the “Matter” with Gender and Sexuality in the Roman World?: Co-sponsored by LGBTI/ Queer Biblical Hermeneutics. While not as prominent as Roman “family values," diverse sexualities and genders were traced on and through the objects (e.g. graffiti and terracotta erotica). In this session, inspired by the work of Sarah Levin-Richardson, we invite papers that explore how ancient sexualities and genders, especially those we might identify as “queer,” are represented in and created by the ancient material world and how these shed light on our understanding of biblical texts, traditions, and interpretations. Authors might consider ancient spaces (e.g. brothels, villas), things (e.g. tintinnabulum, amulets), and/or representations of things and acts (e.g. painting, statuary). Papers that engage theoretical discussions of the material world and queer theory are especially welcome. 2. Architectures of Imperial Cult: This session welcomes papers that explore the role that architecture played in facilitating Roman ‘imperial cults’ in their diverse forms. Papers might focus on the construction, organization, and/or layout of a building(s); the objects, actors, and rituals within the architectural setting; or the broader spatial context around the sites. Papers might also aim to articulate more clearly the range of categories that are conventionally placed under the single heading “imperial cult.” 3. Religion, Slavery, and Material Culture: Co-sponsored by Paul and Politics. We seek papers that address religion, slavery, manumission, and material culture in the Roman world with a special interest in the material culture of enslaved and freed persons in the contexts of early Jewish and Christian communities. Michael Flexsenhar, author of Christians in Caesar’s Household: The Emperors’ Slaves in the Makings of Christianity (forthcoming, 2019), will be the respondent.

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