Standing At Lyon : An Examination of the Martyrdom of Blandina of Lyon

The suffering woman, Blandina, emerges as an archetypal figure of the martyrs of Lyon. This slave-woman ultimately arises to engage in battle with the powers of the Roman Empire. Through the application of Bowen Family Systems Theory and the writings of Michel Foucault the book explains the function of anxiety, and the dynamics at work in the system that result in the failure of Roman authority to use power to quell the rise of Christianity. The reactions of those who might appear to be the most powerful are essential in gifting power to this lowly slave. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION 1. BACKGROUND TO THE TEXT AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 2. RIVERS OF LIFE 3. LAW AND ORDER 4. “DON’T JUST DO SOMETHING: STAND THERE! 5. THE PERIL OF THE PEN: CONSTRUCTING A SELF CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX Blandina of Lyon, a lowly slave, battles the powers of the Roman Empire. Using Bowen Theory and the writings of Foucault the book explains how the anxiety of authority figures results in their failure to quell the rise of Christianity.