An Enchanted World - by Michael L Satlow (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Uncovering the vibrant spiritual life of Late Antiquity

In Late Antiquity (ca. 200-600 CE), the world was alive with unseen forces--divine agents who influenced every aspect of daily life. For most ordinary people, religion was not found in temples, synagogues, and churches, but in lived experience as they interacted with the supernatural in a world of uncertainty and danger. In An Enchanted World, Michael Satlow uncovers a shared spiritual landscape that stretched beyond the confines of Judaism, Christianity, and the pantheon of Greek and Roman deities. From healing rituals to protective amulets, spiritual practices were a matter of necessity, transcending religious labels. To get by in the world required being on good terms with the right supernatural beings and being able to ward off the bad ones.

Rejecting traditional narratives that focus on institutional religion and theological divisions, Satlow presents a compelling case for viewing the period through the lens of "lived religion." This was not a religion of abstractions formulated by rabbis and priests, but an enchanted world populated by divine beings who had as much--if not more--agency as any person. Drawing on archaeological evidence, historical documents, and a rich trove of magical texts, Satlow vividly reconstructs how ordinary people lived in a world that crackled with the energy of the supernatural. His account reimagines the spiritual history of Late Antiquity, centering shared human fears and aspirations and challenging preconceived notions about religious boundaries. With An Enchanted World, Satlow offers a fresh perspective on a transformative period--one that has much to teach us even today about the role that spirituality can play in the secular world.

Review Quotes

"With a cogent structure, drilling down from large categories of religion, identity, and ethnicity into the detailed landscape of individual experience, Satlow employs a thoughtful lens that shifts the frame away from groups and institutions and centers it on flesh-and-blood people. Through this refreshing approach, Satlow makes effective use of archaeological evidence and historical documents. . . . Heady and magical at once, the religious survey An Enchanted World issues an unapologetic, humanizing vision of a transformative period, showing how ancient spiritualism still has much to teach modern believers."---Peggy Kurkowski, Foreword Reviews

"Satlow leads the reader into a world rich with spiritual awareness and assumptions of the supernatural. . . . [He] provides an accessible and intriguing glimpse into an era of sometimes tumultuous change, challenging the reader's understanding of religion and of identity. An interesting look at faith during a pivotal time in history."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Michael L. Satlow is professor of religious studies and Judaic studies at Brown University. He is the author of How the Bible Became Holy; Creating Judaism: History, Tradition, Practice; and Jewish Marriage in Antiquity (Princeton).