The World Behind the Story
History. Culture. Belief.

The novels are set in a real world—vivid, complicated, and surprising. Explore the people, places, beliefs, and everyday life that shaped the early church and the stories in Chains & Crowns.

Religion & Belief

Gods, oracles, prophecy, and the rise of Christianity

Prophecy & Oracles

Early Christian Prophecy

Greek & Roman Religion

Magic, Omens & Miracles

Early Christianity

Life & Society

Everyday life in the ancient world.

Clothing & Appearance

Food & Drink

Family & Society

Medicine & Health

Slavery & Social Status

Education & Philosophy

Public Life

Power, law, and entertainment in the Roman world.

Government & Justice

Prisons & Punishment

Festivals & Entertainment

Acts of God: Earthquakes & Natural Disasters

People

Key figures from the biblical account and the novels

Mynestra (the Pythia)

Clement (Roman lictor)

Paul (Apostle)

Caeso (Philippian Jailer)

From My Reading

Books that deepen the story.

Books and resources that have informed my research, challenged my thinking, and taken me deeper into the world of the early church and the Mediterranean.

(coming soon)