Pagans

The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity

By: James J. O'Donnell

Narrated by: David Drummond

Pagans explores the rise of Christianity from a surprising and unique viewpoint: that of the people who witnessed their ways of life destroyed by what seemed then a powerful religious cult. These "pagans" were actually pious Greeks, Romans, Syrians, and Gauls, who observed the traditions of their ancestors. To these devout polytheists, Christians who worshiped only one deity were immoral atheists who believed that a splash of water on the deathbed could erase a lifetime of sin.

Religious scholar James J. O'Donnell takes us on a lively tour of the Ancient Roman world through the fourth century CE, when Romans of every nationality, social class, and religious preference found their world suddenly constrained by rulers who preferred a strange new god. Some joined this new cult, while others denied its power, erroneously believing it was little more than a passing fad.

In Pagans, O'Donnell brings to life various pagan rites and essential features of Roman religion and life, offers fresh portraits of iconic historical figures, including Constantine, Julian, and Augustine, and explores important themes - Rome versus the east, civilization versus barbarism, plurality versus unity, rich versus poor, and tradition versus innovation - in this startling account.

©2015 James J. O'Donnell (P)2017 Tantor

some interesting facts, but not a very coherent ta

I did enjoy hearing about some incidents that I was unaware of, but I could not really see how they all tied into a whole. I'm sure O'Donnell would disagree, but my mind does not stretch in the same directions that he does. There were some intriguing stories about pagans, but relating these incidents failed to make me understand what 'pagans' were all about. O'Donnell makes it sound like the hoi polloi were not much interested in pagan beliefs and acts, yet pagan superstitions were still prevalent in rural society in 1500. I suppose that I was expecting something different in a book entitled "Pagans," but I came away no more informed than I was before I read this.

Pleasing scent with too much wind to enjoy it

The material is interesting, but the author's presentation of it is too flippant and gossipy, and he's constantly wandering about, rather than developing a solid argument.

different, rushing, a bit unorganized

I enjoyed some content of this book but I find it difficult to organize them in my mind. The real problem is the telling, feels like it has no period, only commas, feels like endless sentences. The voice is nice but I feel hurried as if the sentence is to be continued.

Very interesting overview of the history of paganism and Christianity

It’s a decent jumping point into more history on the subjects of paganism and Christianity. This one was suggested to me as a book that we should read for deconstructing Christianity, and I was not disappointed.

Lame, Rude, and Boring

I tried this book a few times and just couldn't get into it. The narration is boring, but the writing itself is just very one-sided and condescending. The author only stuck to Greco-Roman paganism and didn't venture off into any other cultures. Disappointing for sure.