Call for papers SAMR @ SCS & SBL

Society for Biblical Literature 157th Annual Meeting (Due: 3/18/25)

NOVEMBER 22-25, 2025
BOSTON

Calls for Papers for Panels Co-Sponsored by the Society for Ancient Mediterranean Religions

Co-sponsored with Greco-Roman Religions: Honoring Frederick Brenk: Religion & religious thought in the early and high Roman empire

We invite papers on the relationship between religion, philosophy, and literature in Plutarch and others in the first two centuries of the Roman empire in honor of Frederick Brenk. Topics might include Plutarch's views on religion and society; studies of Plutarch's and his contemporaries’ religious thought; figures of the Second Sophistic as religious practitioners and theorists; 1st and 2nd c. treatments of religious practices; connections between Middle Platonic philosophy and religion; the legacy of Brenk’s work. The panel aims to celebrate Brenk's contributions while fostering new discussions and insights.

Co-sponsored with Violence and Representations of Violence in Antiquity: Religious Violence and the Affective Turn"

This session will explore the emotional dimensions of religious violence in the ancient world. By focusing on emotions, feelings, and affective states, we aim to broaden the understanding of religious violence beyond doctrinal or ideological explanations. Papers are invited to explore these affective dynamics and their role in shaping behavior and social structures.

Society for Classical Studies 157th Annual Meeting
JANUARY 7-10, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO

Call for Papers for Panel Sponsored by the Society for Ancient Mediterranean Religions (due: 3/20/25)

Religion and religious thought in the late Republic and early Roman empire – A panel honoring the work of Frederick Brenk

Organized by Zsuzsanna Várhelyi (Boston University)

We invite papers dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between religion, philosophy and literature in the works of late Republican and early imperial writers. In honoring the work of Frederick Brenk, proposals engaging with his research areas are especially encouraged; to quote one of his obituaries, Plutarch’s “Erotikos was, perhaps, Fred’s favorite Plutarchaean moral treatise, like Mark Antony his favorite hero, and Isis his favorite goddess.” Thus, topics of possible interest include, but are not limited to: specific ancient views on religion, philosophy and society and their relation to each other; studies of religious thought in various genres in the late Republic and early empire, especially but not limited to Plutarch; first- and second-century treatments of various religious practices, including those of the “Egyptian” gods and of “magical” character; the connections between Middle Platonic philosophy and religion. The panel aims to celebrate Brenk's significant contributions to the study of ancient religion while fostering new scholarly discussions and insights.

Please send abstracts that follow the guidelines for individual abstracts (see the SCS Guidelines for Authors of Abstracts) by email to Zsuzsa Várhelyi (Boston University) at varhelyi@bu.edu by midnight, March 20, 2025.

Please ensure that the abstracts are anonymous.

The organizers will review all submissions anonymously, and their decision will be communicated to the authors of abstracts by early April with enough time that those whose abstracts are not chosen can participate in the individual abstract submission process for the upcoming SCS meeting.