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The Early History of Greed: The Sin of Avarice in Early Medieval Thought and Literature Reissue Edition
Author(s): Richard Newhauser (Author)
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- Publication Date: June 1, 2006
- Edition: Reissue
- Language: English
- Print length: 264 pages
- ISBN-10: 0521026482
- ISBN-13: 9780521026482
Book Description
In this full-length study of the early history of greed Richard Newhauser challenges the traditional view that avarice only became a dominant sin with the rise of a money economy. He shows that avaritia, the sin of greed for possessions, was dominant in a wide range of theological and literary texts from the first century CE, and that by the early Middle Ages avarice headed the list of vices for authors aiming to convert others from pagan materialism to Christian spirituality.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Newhauser…has done us a notable service…” Religious Studies Review
“In this provocative study, Newhauser fills a lacuna in historical scholarship even as he provides insight for the nonhistorian…This is an erudite, superb work that commands attention from everyone concerned about the history of thought.” Theology Today
“Engaging […] Newhauser shows us how the history of ideas should be done.” The Medieval Review
Book Description
The first full-length study of the early history of greed, through texts from the first to tenth centuries CE.
