How do religions start, and who starts them? Why do some religious movements succeed, and others fail? Did the concept of “religion” even exist in the premodern world? We will seek answers to these questions and more as we explore religious traditions that flourished in the Near East and Central Asia during Late Antiquity, namely Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism. Using a diverse array of primary sources (texts, coins, mosaics, and wall paintings), we will explore interactions between members of these religious groups as we challenge traditional tropes and narratives about premodern society and religion.
