![Nicholas Baker-Brian](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/2018?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Nicholas Baker-Brian
Reader in New Testament and Early Christian Studies
Overview
Research interests
- Early Christianity
- Manichaeism (and 'Gnosticism')
- Greek and Latin Patristics
- The Constantinian Dynasty
- The Writings of Julian the Apostate
Research projects
- Constantinian Culture: A History of the Constantinian Dynasty
- Imperial Wisdom: Towards a New History of the Third Century CE
- New Translation and Commentary of Psalms of Heracleides (Coptic Gospels and Associated Texts series)
Research group
- Biography in Late Antiquty Research Cluster
- Dynasty Ancient and Modern Research Cluster
- Cardiff Centre for Late Antique Religion and Culture
Impact and engagement
History of Veganism Podcast - 'The Vegan Option' - Episode 5 http://theveganoption.org/2016/06/07/veghist-ep05-rome-plutarch-neoplatonism-manicheans-david-grummet-nicholas-baker-brian-michael-beer-copts-hermits/
Publication
2024
- Baker-Brian, N. 2024. Writing truth and secrets: Authorship and the legitimising role of apocalyptic in Manichaeism. In: Bonar, C. and Lidenlaub, J. D. eds. Authorial Fictions and Attributions in the Ancient Mediterranean. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 105-125.
2022
- Baker-Brian, N. 2022. The reign of Constantius II. Routledge.
2021
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. 2021. Studia Patristica CII. Including papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters.
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. 2021. Introduction. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica CII. Papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference 5-7 September 2018. Studia Patristica Vol. 102. Peeters
2020
- Baker-Brian, N. 2020. Revisiting Proba's Confession: The Proem of the Vergilian Cento and the Reign of Julian the Apostate. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica CII. Papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters
- Baker-Brian, N. 2020. ‘Very great are your words’. In: Flower, R. and Ludlow, M. eds. Rhetoric and Religious Identity in Late Antiquity. Oxford University Press, pp. 114-127., (10.1093/oso/9780198813194.003.0008)
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Tougher, S. 2020. Introduction: In the shadows of Constantine and Julian: The sons of Constantine, AD 337-361. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Tougher, S. eds. The Sons of Constantine, AD 337-361: In the Shadows of Constantine and Julian. New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, (10.1007/978-3-030-39898-9)
- Baker-Brian, N. J. 2020. 'I have taken pains to get copies of them': Epistolary relations between the sons of Constantine and the Christian Church. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Tougher, S. eds. The Sons of Constantine, AD337-361. In the Shadows of Constantine and Julian. New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, pp. 347-388.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. eds. 2020. The sons of Constantine, AD 337-361: in the shadows of Constantine and Julian. New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. (10.1007/978-3-030-39898-9)
2018
- Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. J. eds. 2018. A companion to religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World. Chichester: Wiley. (10.1002/9781118968130)
- Baker-Brian, N. J. 2018. A new religion? The emergence of Manichaeism in Late Antiquity. In: Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. J. eds. A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Chichester: Wiley, pp. 319-343., (10.1002/9781118968130.ch15)
- Baker-Brian, N. 2018. Introduction. In: Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. eds. A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 1-8.
2017
- Baker-Brian, N. 2017. Mass and elite in Late Antique religion: the case of Manichaeism. In: Evans, R. ed. Mass and Elite in the Greek and Roman Worlds: From Sparta to Late Antiquity. London: Routledge, pp. 165-184.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2017. Manicheism. In: Toom, T. ed. Augustine in Context. Cambridge University Press, pp. 137-144.
2016
- Baker-Brian, N. 2016. “Putrid boils and sores, and burning wounds in the body”: the valorization of health and illness in late antique Manichaeism: Introduction: health and the Manichaean body. Harvard Theological Review 109(3), pp. 422-446. (10.1017/S001781601600016X)
2013
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Between testimony and rumour: Strategies of invective in Augustine's 'De moribus manichaeorum'. In: Quiroga Puertas, A. J. ed. The Purpose of Rhetoric in Late Antiquity: From Performance to Exegesis. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 31-53.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Women in Augustine's anti-Manichaean writings: Rumour, rhetoric, and ritual. In: Vinzent, M. ed. Studia Patristica LXX: Papers presented at the sixteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford 2011: Volume 18: St Augustine and his Opponents. Studia Patristica Vol. 70. Leuven: Peeters, pp. 499-520.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Manichaeism. In: Pollmann, K. and Otten, W. eds. The Oxford Guide to the Historical Reception of Augustine. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 871-877.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Galynina, I. 2013. Contra Faustum. In: Pollmann, K. and Otten, W. eds. The Oxford Guide to the Historical Reception of Augustine. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 46-53.
2012
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. 2012. Emperor and author: The writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales.
- Tougher, S. F. 2012. Reading between the lines: Julian's first panegyric on Constantius II. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian 'the Apostate'. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales, pp. 19-34.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2012. The politics of virtue in Julian's Misopogon. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 263-280.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. 2012. Introduction. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales, pp. xiii-xxi.
2011
- Baker-Brian, N. 2011. Manichaeism: An ancient faith rediscovered. London: T & T Clark International.
2009
- Baker-Brian, N. 2009. Manichaeism in the Later Roman Empire: A study of Augustine's 'Contra Adimantum'. Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press.
2007
- Baker-Brian, N. 2007. Modern Augustinian biographies: Revisions and counter-memories. Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum 11(1), pp. 151-167. (10.1515/ZAC.2007.009)
2006
- Baker-Brian, N. 2006. Biblical traditions and their transformation in fourth century Manichaeism. Augustiniana 56(1-2), pp. 63-80.
2003
- Baker-Brian, N. 2003. '.. quaedam disputationes Adimanti' (Retr. I. xxii. 1): Reading the Manichaean Biblical Discordance in Augustine's Contra Adimantum. Augustinian Studies 34(2), pp. 175-196. (10.5840/augstudies200334211)
Articles
- Baker-Brian, N. 2016. “Putrid boils and sores, and burning wounds in the body”: the valorization of health and illness in late antique Manichaeism: Introduction: health and the Manichaean body. Harvard Theological Review 109(3), pp. 422-446. (10.1017/S001781601600016X)
- Baker-Brian, N. 2007. Modern Augustinian biographies: Revisions and counter-memories. Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum 11(1), pp. 151-167. (10.1515/ZAC.2007.009)
- Baker-Brian, N. 2006. Biblical traditions and their transformation in fourth century Manichaeism. Augustiniana 56(1-2), pp. 63-80.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2003. '.. quaedam disputationes Adimanti' (Retr. I. xxii. 1): Reading the Manichaean Biblical Discordance in Augustine's Contra Adimantum. Augustinian Studies 34(2), pp. 175-196. (10.5840/augstudies200334211)
Book sections
- Baker-Brian, N. 2024. Writing truth and secrets: Authorship and the legitimising role of apocalyptic in Manichaeism. In: Bonar, C. and Lidenlaub, J. D. eds. Authorial Fictions and Attributions in the Ancient Mediterranean. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 105-125.
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. 2021. Introduction. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica CII. Papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference 5-7 September 2018. Studia Patristica Vol. 102. Peeters
- Baker-Brian, N. 2020. Revisiting Proba's Confession: The Proem of the Vergilian Cento and the Reign of Julian the Apostate. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica CII. Papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters
- Baker-Brian, N. 2020. ‘Very great are your words’. In: Flower, R. and Ludlow, M. eds. Rhetoric and Religious Identity in Late Antiquity. Oxford University Press, pp. 114-127., (10.1093/oso/9780198813194.003.0008)
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Tougher, S. 2020. Introduction: In the shadows of Constantine and Julian: The sons of Constantine, AD 337-361. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Tougher, S. eds. The Sons of Constantine, AD 337-361: In the Shadows of Constantine and Julian. New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, (10.1007/978-3-030-39898-9)
- Baker-Brian, N. J. 2020. 'I have taken pains to get copies of them': Epistolary relations between the sons of Constantine and the Christian Church. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Tougher, S. eds. The Sons of Constantine, AD337-361. In the Shadows of Constantine and Julian. New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, pp. 347-388.
- Baker-Brian, N. J. 2018. A new religion? The emergence of Manichaeism in Late Antiquity. In: Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. J. eds. A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Chichester: Wiley, pp. 319-343., (10.1002/9781118968130.ch15)
- Baker-Brian, N. 2018. Introduction. In: Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. eds. A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 1-8.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2017. Mass and elite in Late Antique religion: the case of Manichaeism. In: Evans, R. ed. Mass and Elite in the Greek and Roman Worlds: From Sparta to Late Antiquity. London: Routledge, pp. 165-184.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2017. Manicheism. In: Toom, T. ed. Augustine in Context. Cambridge University Press, pp. 137-144.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Between testimony and rumour: Strategies of invective in Augustine's 'De moribus manichaeorum'. In: Quiroga Puertas, A. J. ed. The Purpose of Rhetoric in Late Antiquity: From Performance to Exegesis. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 31-53.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Women in Augustine's anti-Manichaean writings: Rumour, rhetoric, and ritual. In: Vinzent, M. ed. Studia Patristica LXX: Papers presented at the sixteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford 2011: Volume 18: St Augustine and his Opponents. Studia Patristica Vol. 70. Leuven: Peeters, pp. 499-520.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Manichaeism. In: Pollmann, K. and Otten, W. eds. The Oxford Guide to the Historical Reception of Augustine. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 871-877.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Galynina, I. 2013. Contra Faustum. In: Pollmann, K. and Otten, W. eds. The Oxford Guide to the Historical Reception of Augustine. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 46-53.
- Tougher, S. F. 2012. Reading between the lines: Julian's first panegyric on Constantius II. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian 'the Apostate'. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales, pp. 19-34.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2012. The politics of virtue in Julian's Misopogon. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 263-280.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. 2012. Introduction. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales, pp. xiii-xxi.
Books
- Baker-Brian, N. 2022. The reign of Constantius II. Routledge.
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. 2021. Studia Patristica CII. Including papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. eds. 2020. The sons of Constantine, AD 337-361: in the shadows of Constantine and Julian. New Approaches to Byzantine History and Culture. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. (10.1007/978-3-030-39898-9)
- Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. J. eds. 2018. A companion to religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World. Chichester: Wiley. (10.1002/9781118968130)
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. 2012. Emperor and author: The writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2011. Manichaeism: An ancient faith rediscovered. London: T & T Clark International.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2009. Manichaeism in the Later Roman Empire: A study of Augustine's 'Contra Adimantum'. Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Between testimony and rumour: Strategies of invective in Augustine's 'De moribus manichaeorum'. In: Quiroga Puertas, A. J. ed. The Purpose of Rhetoric in Late Antiquity: From Performance to Exegesis. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 31-53.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2013. Women in Augustine's anti-Manichaean writings: Rumour, rhetoric, and ritual. In: Vinzent, M. ed. Studia Patristica LXX: Papers presented at the sixteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford 2011: Volume 18: St Augustine and his Opponents. Studia Patristica Vol. 70. Leuven: Peeters, pp. 499-520.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. 2012. Emperor and author: The writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2012. The politics of virtue in Julian's Misopogon. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 263-280.
- Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. 2012. Introduction. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. F. eds. Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales, pp. xiii-xxi.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2011. Manichaeism: An ancient faith rediscovered. London: T & T Clark International.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2009. Manichaeism in the Later Roman Empire: A study of Augustine's 'Contra Adimantum'. Lampeter: Edwin Mellen Press.
- Baker-Brian, N. 2007. Modern Augustinian biographies: Revisions and counter-memories. Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum 11(1), pp. 151-167. (10.1515/ZAC.2007.009)
- Baker-Brian, N. 2006. Biblical traditions and their transformation in fourth century Manichaeism. Augustiniana 56(1-2), pp. 63-80.
Research
Projects
Teaching
Teaching profile
- RT0201 What is Religion?
- RT0313 Empire of Faith
- RT0306 Exploring Gnosticism
Postgraduate students
I am happy to discuss possible MPhil/MRes/PhD projects in my specified research areas, please email me baker-briannj1@cardiff.ac.uk
Biography
Education and qualifications
- PhD Late Antique Latin literature (Wales 2002)
Career overview
- 2019-Present Reader in New Testament and Early Christian Studies, SHARE, Cardiff University
Honours and awards
British Academy Doctoral Award-Holder
Professional memberships
- Member: North American Patristics Society
- Member: International Association of Manichaean Studies
Research themes
Specialisms
- Late Period - Roman Egypt
- Dynasty
- Political Culture, Late Roman Empire
