Tsalambouni Aikaterini, Macedonia in New Testament Period, Thessaloniki: Pournaras Publications, 2002, pp. 302.
This book, originally a dissertation defended at Thessalonica, presents the historical circumstances -political, social and religious- of cities of Macedonia during the New Testament era.
The book after the introduction is divided in three main chapters.
In the first chapter Tsalambouni examines the relation between Macedonia and Roman administrative system and concretely the relation of Philips and Thessalonica with Rome, that is the worship of Emperor in Philips and the clash of Paul, as arising from New Testament references, with the political and social status in Philips. Then, the author presents the political and cultural contacts between Thessalonica and Rome, the adoration of Rome and Emperor in the city and additionally the “dogma of Caesar” and the accusations against Paul.
The second chapter is a wide reference to the role of women, in social and religious life of Philips, Thessalonica and Veria. It is known that in these three cities there were women who received the message of the Gospel from Paul with joy and enthusiasm. The author examines their social background, that is if we speak about women coming from high social classes, who had a public office and a distinction or for women whose social status is connected only with that of their husbands.
The last chapter analyzes the meaning of “respecters of God” and the monotheistic views in the cities of Macedonia. The biblical research has concluded that in some cities of Greek-Roman world, some ethnics expressed their interesting for the worship of God in Jewish communities, by visiting the synagogues and participating in the ritual process. These persons sometimes became a source of debates among Jewish and apostles, especially when Jewish felt that they had lost their sympathy. On the other hand, from certain places of Greek Roman world we have information about votive memorials for the adoration or worship of a personalized idea, as this of Holy or Just or gods with a monotheistic dimension as the worship of God Superior.
The book closes with conclusions, sketch-maps and a rich catalogue of bibliographical sources and resources.