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With the Greek language and writing, Christians adopted familiar types of literature, such as biography for the gospels and letters for the epistles. Other borrowed types were history, philosophy, and oratory.

Under each type of literature you will find names of AUTHORS who used that form both before Christianity, (between the 8th century BC and the 1st century BC) and while Christianity first developed (in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD). You may follow links to particular authors for further information about an author's works and significance. An author is listed simply in the type of literature for which he or she is best known. When an author belongs also in another type, in a less important way, the author's name is placed in parentheses. For instance, Plato is best known for philosophy (in dialogue form), but also used the letter form. Pagan and Jewish authors -- who will probably be less familiar than biblical authors -- are described by "What to Remember."

Most author pages also illustrate PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE from about the author's time -- never the author personally, though, except for St. Paul. You may be surprised that the people -- pagans and Christians -- look alike! Not only do people remain typical Mediterraneans, but also the styles of portraiture from the 4th century BC onwards for centuries remain in the classical Greek tradition. Click on landscapes for pictures of modern places probably similar to ancient gathering places for Greek speakers.