New Book Unearths The Lost Leadership Of Women During Early Christianity
(REVIEW) The information we have about the role of women in ancient Christianity is limited. Among the male disciples, only two prominent figures stand out: Mary and Mary Magdalene. Overall, women’s participation in church leadership has been restricted, and the appointment of women as priests and ecclesiastical leaders remains a controversial issue today.
In the book, “Excavating Women: The Archaeology of Leaders in Early Christianity,” archaeologist Carina Prestes reveals a more nuanced history concerning women in early Christianity. She examines funerary settings, artifacts, inscriptions, mosaics and catacombs in historical sites in Italy, uncovering that women played essential roles in ancient Greco-Roman society.
These women held positions of leadership, including that of bishops, and significantly influenced religious communities during the first six centuries of Christianity. The book provides us with a wonderful story that inspires us to rethink the role of women in modern Christianity.
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Prestes is an experienced architect and a professor of Biblical studies and archaeology. She conducts numerous excavations and highlights the significant role that archaeological findings play in interpreting the Bible and the history of Christianity. Her expertise in this field provides us with in-depth research and a compelling narrative.
Prestes initially argues that the conventional understanding of women's roles in ancient times is misleading and often misinterpreted. The belief that women were silent and confined to their homes is a distorted view that fails to take into account a thorough examination of Greco-Roman society.
Prestes informs readers that women played significant roles in Greco-Roman society. As men became soldiers and spent time on the battlefields, women took charge of domestic matters and managed finances. They also served the public as physicians, nurses and retailers. In addition, women became priestesses and held key positions in both the civic and religious life of their communities.
The most important detail is that women played significant roles as leaders and rulers throughout history.
For example, in the Roman court, Empress Livia Drusilla, the wife of Emperor Augustus, and the renowned Egyptian Queen Cleopatra stand out as impactful figures. In Christian communities, many women acted as patrons, office holders, and priestesses. They contributed their wealth to organize meetings, build community spaces, and establish houses of worship, which ultimately strengthened their influence and power.
Prestes guides readers to explore the role of women in the Greco-Roman world. She highlights early sites where Christians gathered, including the house church at Dura Europos in Syria and Megiddo Hall in Israel. Evidence in the form of names found in frescoes and mosaics suggests that these women may have been patronesses or even leaders within their communities.
She takes us to Italy, a significant center for Christianity in its early centuries. In Sicily and Naples, archaeologists have excavated the tomb of a wealthy woman, discovering special objects that suggest she may have been a religious leader.
More compelling evidence, such as inscriptions and visual markers found in catacombs, indicates that women may have held positions in the clerical hierarchy, including roles like priests (presbytera) and even prelates. Some mosaics also depict women engaging in preaching and teaching — activities typically attributed to male clerics.
The role of women in church leadership declined significantly in the fifth century when the Council of Laodicea excluded them from ecclesiastical offices. Despite this prohibition, women continued to be recognized as well-educated, powerful, and devout Christians, earning respect from male leaders, such as Bishop Atto II in Northern Italy during the tenth century. Even though women faced discrimination and were barred from official positions, their contributions and roles within the church were still acknowledged and respected by many members.
Evidence from Rome, Croatia, and Ravenna provides additional insight into the role of women in society. For instance, a sixth-century mosaic depicting the Book of Revelation illustrates women standing alongside elders, suggesting they may have held leadership positions. Additionally, a depiction of Empress Theodora, the wife of Emperor Justinian I, from the same period, shows her holding a chalice of wine, a symbol of the Eucharist ritual.
These explorations are fascinating and challenge our understanding of women in ancient society. The writing flows smoothly, resembling a journey to discover history through art and objects rather than written documents.
However, this argument should encourage further research. While archaeological evidence can provide support, it cannot replace the importance of written works. The more historical records we have, the better we can interpret the visual markers and mosaic art found in ancient sites.
Ultimately, “Excavating Women” has gathered sufficient evidence to encourage church leaders at future synods to reconsider sharing authority with female counterparts.
Thien Bui is a Vietnamese writer who specializes in the history and religions of Southeast Asia.