Citifying Jesus

The Making of an Urban Religion in the Roman Empire

by Emiliano Rubens Urciuoli

Book cover: Citifying Jesus

Extent: 319 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament

Series volume number: 520

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(September 2024)

ISBN: 9783161623714

9.09 x 6.06 inches

Price: $174.00

In stock

“Urban religion” is not the generic term for any religion existing within an urban environment. This book demonstrates that examining early Christianity as an urban religion involves understanding that certain fundamental attributes, usually seen as inherent to this religion, can be better explained as outcomes of particular urban conditions.


Religion and urban life are the most successful strategies of handling, enhancing, and capitalizing on human sociability. By integrating religious studies, archaeology, and spatial theory, Emiliano Rubens Urciuoli aims to re-describe the formation of Christ religion as urban religion. Spanning almost four centuries of Christian literature from Paul to Augustine, the author shows that several characteristics commonly attributed to Christ religion are, in fact, outcomes of the distinct ways in which religious agents enact urbanity and interact with the urban space. The study brings the urbanity of religious agents into focus, shedding light on significant elements of religious transformation, innovation, institutionalization, empowerment, and resistance to power. Simultaneously, it explores the key urban features that shaped the emergence and development of Christ religion.

  • By (author) Emiliano Rubens Urciuoli