CTC Seminar | February 2026

“In Those Days…” (Luke 2:1): Mary the Mother of Jesus, Atia, Livia/Julia Augusta and the Gospel of Luke.

The opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel have often been engaged with the context of Augustus as saviour, son of a god, and bringer of peace in contrast to Jesus, saviour, son of God and bringer of peace. There is less engagement with the mother of Jesus in light of the same context: in relation to titles of Atia, the mother, and Livia, wife/daughter of Augustus.

This paper by Dr Rosemary Canavan, Senior Lecturer at CTC, surveys the iconography of Mary in the biblical texts, particularly Luke-Acts and the formation of titles of Mary as the Christ movement develops, in light of the coins of Livia/Julia Augusta and relevant ‘mother’ culture and naming in the Greco-Roman World. Of particular interest is Livia’s commemoration in Syria on silver coins as Hera and Mother, and in Africa as Mother of the homeland.

Registration is not required for this free event.

Date and Time

1:00-2:00pm AEDT, Friday 6 February