Holy men, both pagan and Christian, are persistent and puzzling figures in the religious life of the Roman Empire. They appear and disappear, attract disciples and clients, and repel rivals; and they claim some kind of religious virtuosity in a variety of social contexts. This book explores who they were (or thought they were), how they tended to operate, and what they were able to contribute to a varied and changing religious climate of faith and superstition. There has not been a general historical study of Early Imperial Holy Men on any scale since Bierler's portrait of Theios Aner over half a century ago. Dr Anderson applies techniques of literary and prosopographical analysis to bear on a varied cross-section of these figures from Jesus Christ to Peregrinus Proteus to Dio Chrysostom, and stresses their individuality as much as their common features. He also shows awareness of the difficulties of drawing firm dividing lines between the successful cult-leader and the charlatan. Sage, Saint and Sophist examines the variety of services, real or imaginary, that holy men had to offer, and the techniques they used to maintain their credibility.
It will be of considerable interest to students of the early Roman Empire, ancient religion or early Christianity.