User:TreaBunny/Blandina/Jpeashoes Peer Review

General info

 * Whose work are you reviewing?

TreaBunny


 * Link to draft you're reviewing
 * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:TreaBunny/Blandina?veaction=edit&preload=Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org_draft_template
 * Link to the current version of the article (if it exists)
 * Blandina - Wikipedia
 * Blandina - Wikipedia

Evaluate the drafted changes
The current lead section contains a generous amount of historical information that is extremely helpful for a well-rounded understanding of the context of Blandina's persecution. There is a dialogue between the legend of Blandina and the actual manner of Christian persecution during the reign of Marcus Aurelius that lends to a better understanding of what is commonplace and what details might have been exaggerated to add significance to the story. The lead section is very helpful, but one detail that might make it more useful would be the incorporation of the specific treatment of female Christians - in this way, it would help introduce why Blandina's story is significant before the actual discussion of gender and martyrdom that our assignment is focused on.

In terms of your Significance section, I feel like it is a very good start. I think, however, that some of the terminology might not immediately make sense to people outside of academia. The description of Blandina as an "athlete" might be confused with the contemporary use of the term, so I think giving a brief description of the Early Christian idea of "athletes" would help. The focus on her as a mother would also be helped by introducing Ponticus in the Traditional History section in the mention of Blandina's companions. I'm not sure if this is known, but it might be beneficial to elaborate on how Blandina and Ponticus were related outside of the matrydom, if at all.

With my current understanding of the topic, this articles read as mostly neutral to me. As the bulk of it is made up of historical context, rather than discussion of theological and cultural significance, I think it currently avoids much bias. This might change when more is added about Blandina's particular importance as a female martyr, but for now, I think it is good in this area, especially with the edits you have made in the Traditional History portion.

Your bibliography seems great! I see both resources from class and outside. I would be really interested to see how The Myth of Persecution might aid in the discussion of Blandina's significance and influence how her legend is told, it seems like a really interesting source.

Your article helped me a lot! The intense cultural significance leading up to her legend was not only really interesting, but it tied together a lot of what we've touched on about regional vs empire-wide persecution. To have that robust basis before delving into Blandina's story makes it very well-rounded and has inspired me to try to better tie the myths surrounding my topic to its context. They inform each other and elucidate the cultural significance very well.