ABSTRACT
This chapter reexamines several early Christian papyrus letters from third-century Roman Egypt. The letters convey important information about the spread of Christianity in the Egyptian hinterland and the social milieu from which the first ordinary Christians originated. These early Christians showcase multiple identities depending on the respective situation in their everyday life as faithful Christians, business men, estate managers, members of the political elite, sons, brothers and husbands. The same holds true for identification of Christians by their pagan contemporaries. Apart from social status, profession and provenance, their religious affiliation was only one of many markers of identity.
