Dirty Religion : the categories of pure and impure in Late Antique religious polemics

The dichotomy pure/impure is a part of the inherent logic of ancient religions, including Christianity. This symbolic mechanism, which makes it possible to establish what is within and what is without the system, is very powerful in polemical contexts. The vocabulary of impurity, pollution, contamination, filth, disgust, is used in order to characterize other religions. This article focuses on three examples of this polemical strategy being used by Christian authors. The author argues that Firmicus Maternus, John Chrysostom and Shenute are not employing this vocabulary in a merely metaphorical way. Their attitude - which they share with the Jews and the "pagans" - supposes a real, concrete, physical fear of pollution.