From the Editor

From the Editor Sabine R. Huebner In this issue, we delve again into the rich tapestry of Late Antiquity, exploring a wide array of topics, sources, and methodologies that reflect the period's complexity. From the nuanced interpretations of biblical figures and theological treatises to the examination of Roman law, public spectacles of power, and the impact of pandemics on trade and society, the current issue's contributors offer fresh insights into the late ancient world. Their works span a chronological range from the third to the seventh century ce, across diverse geographical locales from the eastern Mediterranean to the Iberian Peninsula. Employing sources that range from homilies, legal texts, and monumental inscriptions to archaeological findings, these papers collectively underscore the interdisciplinary nature of studying Late Antiquity. They reveal the dynamic interactions between political, religious, and social forces that shaped this pivotal era in history. First, Ben Kolbeck examines the evolving perspectives on Pontius Pilate, revealing early Christian strategies to engage with Roman authority while navigating their identity within the empire, particularly with John Chrysostom's homilies. Harold Mawdsley delves into the public humiliation of political figures, analyzing these spectacles as a means of reinforcing imperial authority, deterring rebellion, and engaging the public in the political culture of Late Antiquity. Peter Martens offers a new interpretation of Origen's "Peri Archon" as a defense against critiques of deviating from orthodox Christianity, crafted in response to the Alexandrian community and Bishop Demetrius. It portrays Origen's efforts to affirm his orthodoxy and resolve theological controversies within the ecclesiastical framework. Michael Speidel then reevaluates the "Column of the Goths," arguing for its significance in the foundation of Constantine's Constantinople as a second Rome and the monument's dedication to Fortuna Redux as a symbol of the complex interplay between traditional and Christian religious symbols in his new city. Ulrich Wiemer explores Jerome's engagement with Roman law, suggesting that Jerome's writings reflect the legal awareness and practices of provincial elites, thereby offering insights into the legal culture of Late Antiquity. Thomas Batterman and Henry Gruber then offer critical reevaluations of the impact of the Justinianic plague. Thomas Batterman challenges the traditional dating and the geographical and chronological precision of the Ligurian Plague in Paul the Deacon's work, proposing a critical reevaluation of its narrative role and historical accuracy. He suggests that Paul's account is more reflective of his narrative aims and theological perspectives than an accurate historical record of the plague's impact, and he stresses the importance of shifting attention to End Page 1 individual outbreaks and authors at the regional level. Henry Gruber investigates the impact of the Justinianic Pandemic on the trade of eastern Mediterranean ceramics to Iberia, suggesting a significant disruption in trade patterns in the ceramic sequence around 550, which might be due to warfare, fiscal changes, shifting consumer tastes, and/or the pandemic. Finally, the study of an exceptional late antique belt-buckle from Jaffa by Matasha Mazis, Dana Ashkenazi, and Alexander Fantalkin, through modern analytical techniques, challenges existing theories about the use of enameling on such buckles and explores the socio-cultural implications of its art and iconography against the backdrop of the geopolitical changes following the Arab conquests. Their study underscores the significance of material culture in understanding the daily lives and technological advancements of the period. As usual, the volume concludes with a number of critical reviews of recent influential publications on Late Antiquity. End Page 2 Copyright © 2024 Johns Hopkins University Press