Varve.

I just enjoy the word.

Regarding grad students, one in my art history course last semester tried to convince us that Early Christians performed their rituals in Roman fashion so that they could easier infiltrate society. Going through Roman motions would be especially useful if someone was spying through the window.

An excellent argument. I suppose I'm snotty for finding it stupid, but I'm inclined to disagree, especially when the central theme of the day was cultural hybridity and the adaptation of known rituals to new religions. And by the fact the Christians were Romans and not aliens.

I'm probably just lofty and mean.