Networks and religious innovation in the Roman Empire
Why do some religious movements succeed and spread, while others, seemingly equally popular and successful at a certain time, ultimately fail? It is from this starting point that this thesis approaches religious success or failure in the Roman Empire: exploring a new analytical method for understanding religious change: network theory. The thesis forms two parts. Part I sets out the theoretical frameworks. The focus of network theory is on the processes by which innovation spreads: how interconnectedness facilitates change. Although some innovations might be âsuperiorâ, viewing success or failure as the result of interplay between inherent qualities of a religious movement and the structure of the social environment in which it is embedded means it is possible to reduce value judgements about superiority or inferiority. The discussion then turns to religious change. The key point is that sociologists of religion can explain something of the processes of religious conversion (or ârecruitmentâ) and the success or failure of a religious movement through an analysis of social interactions. Finally, I explain how I shall use networks both as a heuristic approach and a practical modelling technique to apply
Collar, Anna
Ancient History ; Archaeological Theory ; Network Theory ; Roman Empire ; Jewish Diaspora ; Jupiter Dolichenus ; Theos Hypsistos ; Epigraphy ; Religious Innovation ; Roman Religion
Networks and religious innovation in the Roman Empire. Why do some religious movements succeed and spread, while others, seemingly equally popular and successful at a certain time, ultimately fail? It is from this starting point that this thesis approaches religious success or failure in the Roman Empire: exploring a new analytical method for understanding religious change: network theory. The thesis forms two parts. Part I sets out the theoretical frameworks. The focus of network theory is on the processes by which innovation spreads: how interconnectedness facilitates change. Although some innovations might be âsuperiorâ, viewing success or failure as the result of interplay between inherent qualities of a religious movement and the structure of the social environment in which it is embedded means it is possible to reduce value judgements about superiority or inferiority. The discussion then turns to religious change. The key point is that sociologists of religion can explain something of the processes of religious conversion (or ârecruitmentâ) and the success or failure of a religious movement through an analysis of social interactions. Finally, I explain how I shall use networks both as a heuristic approach and a practical modelling technique to apply
networks religious innovation roman_empire religious_movement succeed spread others seemingly equally popular successful certain time ultimately fail start_point approach religious success_failure roman_empire explore new_analytical method religious_change network theory form two_part part set theoretical_framework focus network theory process innovation spread facilitates change although innovation might superior view success_failure interplay inherent quality religious_movement structure social environment embed mean possible reduce value judgement superiority discussion turn religious_change key_point sociologist religion explain something process religious conversion recruitment success_failure religious_movement analysis social_interaction finally explain shall use network heuristic practical modelling technique_apply