Private Women, Public Meals

Book excerpt: This work, a revision of the author's Claremont dissertation, examines how women's differing roles in the ancient Greco-Roman world are reflected in the Gospel portraits of women. Focusing on women's varying portrayals in meal or banquet settings, Corley uncovers evidence that women's roles were undergoing radical social change throughout the Greco-Roman world--both in moving toward equality and in returning to a more traditional role. Such spadework helps us in analyzing the conflicting portrayals of women in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Bibliography, notes and an index of ancient sources render this an invaluable tool for studying women in the Synoptics and ancient social attitudes toward women. This volume should be of particular interest to pastors and teachers, as well as college, university, and seminary students.