The Rich and the Pure - (Transformation of the Classical Heritage) by Daniel Caner (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A portrait of history's first complex Christian society as seen through the lens of Christian philanthropy and gift giving

As the Roman Empire broke down in western Europe, its prosperity moved decisively eastward, to what is now known as the Byzantine Empire. Here was born history's first truly affluent, multifaceted Christian society. One of the ideals used to unite the diverse millions of people living in this vast realm was the Christianized ideal of philanthrōpia. In this sweeping cultural and social history, Daniel Caner shows how philanthropy required living up to Jesus's injunction to "Give to all who ask of you," by offering mercy and/or material aid to every human being, regardless of their origin or status.

Caner shows how Christian philanthropy became articulated through distinct religious ideals of giving that helped define proper social relations among the rich, the poor, and "the pure" (Christian holy people), resulting in new and enduring social expectations. In tracking the evolution of Christian giving over three centuries, he brings to the fore the concerns of the peoples of Early Byzantium, from the countryside to the lower levels of urban society to the imperial elites, as well as the hierarchical relationships that arose among them. The Rich and the Pure offers nothing less than a portrait of the whole of early Byzantine society.

From the Back Cover

"This book is a game-changer and will set the direction of everything that will come thereafter--and all the while it reads like a novel. I could not put it down!"--Susanna Elm, Sidney H. Ehrman Professor of History and Classics, Department of History, University of California, Berkeley

"The result of decades of meticulous research across a vast array of sources, including archaeology, The Rich and the Pure offers new and nuanced perspectives on Christian attitudes toward wealth--its possession, and its circulation--against the very concrete background of the societal developments in the Eastern Mediterranean from the fourth to the seventh century."--Claudia Rapp, University of Vienna and Austrian Academy of Sciences

"For now, and for any foreseeable time to come, this will be 'the' book on the roots of Christian wealth and charity. I expect it will be hailed as an instant classic."--Hal Drake, University of California, Santa Barbara

Review Quotes

"The Rich and the Pure is a welcome and provocative analysis of timeless questions that continue to influence much that is complicated and messy about stewardship, philanthropy, divestment, welfare, social justice, gratitude, and gift wraps."-- "Journal of Orthodox Christian Studies"

"Deeply learned and carefully considered, Caner's book is a masterly exploration of 'the first truly affluent, complex Christian society.'"-- "New York Review of Books"

"Caner deftly exhibits the difficulty of implementation inherent in each mode of giving. . . . It is a gift to the scholarship of its subject."

-- "Journal of Interdisciplinary History"

"Caner furthers our understanding of how religious and laypeople negotiated relationships with one another and how they defined themselves in relation to their wealth. His book is an outstanding contribution not only to gift-giving practices in early Byzantine Christianity, but also to the establishment of monastic self-identity in this period."-- "Journal of Early Christian Studies"

About the Author

Daniel Caner is Associate Professor at Indiana University, Bloomington. His previous books include Wandering Begging Monks: Spiritual Authority and the Promotion of Monasticism in Late Antiquity and History and Hagiography from the Late Antique Sinai.