Howard Makes Oxford Presentation Ahead of Paperback Book Release

Dr. Nathan Howard, professor of history at the University of Tennessee at Martin, presented a paper Aug. 8 at the 19th Oxford International Conference on Patristic Studies, a gathering of leading scholars on early Christian studies. 

Howard’s paper was titled “Managing Manhood: Gender and Performance in the Cappadocians’ Letters.” The presentation was made at the University of Oxford in England.

Howard discussed how fourth-century bishops used letter writing to establish identities as Christian leaders according to classical Greek ideals of manhood.

The presentation – which was supported by a faculty development grant from the UTM Office of Research, Outreach, and Economic Development – was based on Howard’s 2022 book “Christianity and the Contest for Manhood in Late Antiquity,” published by Cambridge University Press.

Reviews of the book may be found in the Journal of Ancient Christianity, Bryn Mawr Classical Review, Journal of Early Christian Studies, and Church History.

The paperback edition of the book was released Sept. 5 and is available on Amazon.