Staurogram, The: Writing a Picture of the Crucified Christ (The Reception of Jesus in the First Three Centuries) - Hardcover

Roth, Dieter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0567704084 ISBN 13: 9780567704085

Publisher: T&T Clark, 2026

Synopsis

Dieter T. Roth presents an extensive study of the so-called “staurogram,” argued to be the earliest visual depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. Roth examines the origins of this depiction in early New Testament manuscripts as a ligature or compendium of two letters in certain abbreviations of the words “cross” (stauros in Greek) or “crucify” (stauroo in Greek) in which the Greek letter rho is superimposed upon the Greek letter tau. In this work, the staurogram, ultimately understood to be a simple yet powerful depiction of Jesus crucified, is analyzed and located within the framework of ancient abbreviations, the nomina sacra, and the developing Christian visual culture in order to offer, for the first time, a wide-ranging presentation of this symbol in early Christianity. From the symbol’s origins within words in some of our earliest, extant New Testament manuscripts to its use as a free-standing Christogram, this volume provides important insight into how Christians, beginning with the staurogram, depicted visually their faith in a crucified Christ.

About this title

About the Author

Dieter T. Roth is Associate Professor of New Testament at Boston College, USA.

Edition details

• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0567704084
• ISBN 13: 9780567704085
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 202