RELST-330 Martyrdom in Antiquity

The word "martyrdom" is a site of live debate about ethics, from religious extremist martyrs to the label "martyr complex." Who is willing to suffer, and for what? Is that willingness justifiable, pathological, or terrorism? Must one die, or is it enough to suffer?. Christians in antiquity also asked these questions in response to persecution under the Roman Empire, as well as in the centuries after. Others in antiquity too considered the difference between suicide and noble, voluntary death. We will analyze the phenomenon of martyrdom in antiquity through a variety of textual attestation.

Maximum Enrollment

Seminar (12)

(Writing Intensive, Seminar.)

Cross Listed Courses

CLASC-330, MDRST-330

Prerequisite

One course at the 200-level or above in RELST, CLASC or MDRST

Offered

Spring