What was the ancient world like? Ancient sources tell us a great deal about the cultural patterns and values that prevailed in the Mediterranean of the biblical periods: how they constructed identity; how they exercised control over groups, space, gender, and dress; how they thought of friendship; how they participated in social and economic exchange; how ritual functioned and how kinship was constructed; what healing practices, evil eye, and altered states of consciousness tell us about their sciences; how they talked about each other behind their backs, and why. This volume makes the rich social context of the ancient Mediterranean available to readers through succinct introduction of key ideas, thoughtful selection of translated primary sources, and extensive cataloging of relevant primary sources. This volume brings together leading scholars to write on twenty different topics, from patronage to gender to loyalty to evil eye. Each chapter opens with an introduction to the topic, offers a short list of secondary sources, and an extensive list of primary sources. The passages in each chapter reflect the vast array of sources roughly from Homer to Augustine, including epigraphical, papyrological, literary, historical, philosophical, biblical, and dramatic texts. This authoritative volume serves as a ready reference for the novice and experienced scholar alike.