Two diametrically opposed assumptions have influenced interpretations of circumcision rituals in ancient Judaism: either women performed the operation on their infant sons because children at birth and during infancy remained under the purview of the mother; or, conversely, men—specifically a ritual agent known as the mohel—performed cir…[Read more]

This article assesses whether or to what level Jesus and his original Jewish followers were literate. The question of “craftsman’s literacy”–a low to moderate level of literacy associated with trades–is addressed, and important extraliterary means of education are discussed, including learning cultural traditions in the household, participating…[Read more]

Addressing studies of the concepts of structure and agency, in 2008 sociologist François Dépelteau called for a ‘relational approach’ that compared the ‘trans-actions’ of actors, but notably left open the question of how such a study should be conducted. The present article attempts to operationalise Dépelteau’s call, albeit in a manner tailo…[Read more]

Review essay covering eleven books published from 2012 to 2016 in the area of early Christianity and its relation to economic issues.

Assyrian imperialism is closely associated with the practice of mass deportation. This practice has been explained by recourse to many different motivations. But can we hope to pinpoint the logic informing deportation rather than merely identifying its advantages? This paper surveys the evidence of deportation in the Levant in the period 745–620 B…[Read more]