Comments on: New Book: Science Education in the Early Roman Empire

By: Richard Carrier

Richard Carrier — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 04:04:53 +0000

In reply to David Bunds. That has already been done. See Fox, MacMullen, and Moss.

By: David Bunds

David Bunds — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 14:55:18 +0000

Looking forward to it. Would you ever consider doing a book that sets the record straight on the history of Christianity during the Roman Empire, before and after Constantine? I imagine it would build on the work you have already done and discussed in your talk at Skepticon 5, “Miracles and Historical Method” (Which was excellent and informative) That presentation makes me wonder how many other lies did Christians tell about themselves and their Pagan opponents? Were millions of Christians really being thrown to the lions? (I have had Christian friends tell me this) I think this subject would make an excellent book. What are your thoughts?

By: Richard Carrier

Richard Carrier — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 22:33:01 +0000

In reply to Phaedrus415. I've been waiting for my main book to be released. Because there is otherwise no adequate, affordable textbook on the subject (there is adequate, and there is affordable, but nothing both). But rest assured, a course on the subject is planned!

By: Phaedrus415

Phaedrus415 — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 15:15:42 +0000

Why do you never offer online courses on this material? After all, it’s what you spent ten years studying!

By: Richard Carrier

Richard Carrier — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 21:40:45 +0000

In reply to Michael Bolton.

You’re a liar I presume.

But in the context of the mocking fiction you’ve created:

It’s from my Columbia University dissertation, which is more peer reviewed than any academic monograph ever is.

I had it pass peer review at several academic presses as well, but none offered me a tolerable contract. So I’m not going to bother with those anymore. As an independent scholar, I need real publishers who actually pay their authors fairly. Sort of just like Bart Ehrman does.

By: Richard Carrier

Richard Carrier — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 21:37:37 +0000

In reply to Grant Mohler. Try reading my chapter on The Dark Ages in Christianity Is Not Great. Which cites and quotes mainstream scholarship on the fact. Likewise the last section of my chapter on the Christian apologetics on this in The Christian Delusion. Which summarizes some of the points I'm referring to in that last comment, and why they are relevant (the book is about the Christian apologetic claiming the reverse).

By: Richard Carrier

Richard Carrier — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 21:34:06 +0000

In reply to Paul Collier. 100 BC to 313 AD. So a little of both. Generally it's about the cultural status quo within that whole period, which remained little changed---and even the changes that occurred in the first and last centuries of that span are discussed in the book.

By: Terry O'Carroll

Terry O'Carroll — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 08:28:21 +0000

I look forward to reading this when it comes out.

By: Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 00:59:01 +0000

That is great news, I am really looking forward to this! Will this book be peer reviewed like OHJ? Will it also be published by a prestigious university press? Will you consider making a special autographed, gilded, and imitation leather bound edition of this new book? Pre-ordering now, I can’t wait to read it!

By: Grant Mohler

Grant Mohler — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 01:51:46 +0000

Lol these books actually sound super interesting, but you just had to add:
“He also compares pagan attitudes toward their system of education with the very different attitudes of ancient Jews and Christians, finding stark contrasts between them that would set the stage for the coming dark ages.”
*sigh*