The Greek addition to Daniel Susanna and Chariton of Aphrodisias’ Callirhoe are early examples of novels/novella. These works reflect on legal protocol and the place of women vis-à-vis the law and the household, exposing female bodies to make their point. This article connects these features to ancient novelists’ utilisation of female bodies. Cont…[Read more]

1 Samuel 28:14 describes the appearance of the ghost of Samuel, who, upon King Saul’s request, was raised by a medium. We identify four key elements of the ghost’s visage, all of which relate to the living Samuel or King Saul, or their relationship, and all critique King Saul and foreshadow the loss of the kingship and his demise. The four ele…[Read more]

Forced marriage (FM) is an ongoing problem worldwide. For example, in the United States approximately 5 in every 1000 non-Hispanic white children have been married, and the average for all US children is 6.3. The lasting detrimental effects on the victims of FM are widely documented and recognised. Customs and realities vary but universal…[Read more]

Recent works on the categorisation of ancient Judaism have begun to call into question the division between Judaism and Hellenism, often reified as two distinct cultural spheres, even as scholars seek to explain texts and artefacts which show elements traditionally ascribed either to Judaism or Hellenism. These theoretical formulations have made…[Read more]