Acknowledgments
An enormous debt of gratitude is first owed to my contributors for their unwavering commitment to the project, as well as for their patience, understanding, and kindness as we were navigating the many challenges of the pandemic. The volume did not originate from a conference and although I have not met a lot of the contributors in person, they all embraced the project with remarkable enthusiasm, worked admirably towards meeting deadlines, and answered my numerous requests with the utmost promptness. I am also grateful to the series editor, Lee L. Brice, for trusting me to lead this project, which was a tremendous honor and joy. Lee provided valuable guidance at all stages and replied to my emails with exemplary speed, accuracy, and compassion. His role during the proofreading process was crucial, and he saved me from several errors and embarrassments. Many thanks are also owed to the anonymous reviewers and the Editorial Board for their insightful comments and recommendations that led to significant improvements of the volume. A generous research grant from Saint Joseph’s University helped me lay the foundations of the collection and stay focused in the summer of 2020, when the world was experiencing great pain, isolation, and uncertainty because of COVID-19. I am most grateful to the SJU Board on Faculty Research and Development for this award, as well as to the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Nathan Baird, for approving the request for funds that covered the cost of the Indexer. Giulia Moriconi and Mirjam Elbers at Brill handled all my requests efficiently, for which I am thankful. Many thanks are also owed to Millie Gall, the proofreader, and Thalien Colenbrander, the production editor, for their impressive attention to details. Lastly, I would like to thank my husband, Richard Cavalli, for taking care of everything else so that I could find the time to work on this and other projects. I would not have been able to handle all the responsibilities resulting from my role as editor without his support, affection, and above all his jokes. It is to him that I dedicate this volume with all my love and deep gratitude!
Konstantinos P. Nikoloutsos
Philadelphia, PA
May 30, 2023