Jewish Life and Thought Among Greeks and Romans: Primary Readings

Front Cover
Louis H. Feldman, Meyer Reinhold
Fortress Press, 1996 - History - 436 pages
A source book of translations from Greek and Latin literature, written by Jews and non-Jews, focusing, in particular, on the relations of Jews with their neighbors - governments, the masses, and intellectuals. Ch. 10 (p. 305-395), "Criticism and Hostility towards Jews", presents excerpts relating to tensions between Jews and non-Jews in the Hellenistic sphere and in the Roman Empire, from the 3rd century BCE to the 4th century CE. They describe persecution of Jews by the authorities, anti-Jewish riots, and criticism of Jews by intellectuals (e.g. Manetho, Lysimachus, Apion, Tacitus, Julian the Apostate). The commentary which accompanies the excerpts tends to show that criticism of and hostility toward the Jews was not always deep-seated or irrational - sometimes it was based on Jewish rebellion, attempts by Jews to convert non-Jews to Judaism, or intolerance on the part of Jews. Hatred of Jews existed side by side with admiration for them.

From inside the book

Contents

PseudoHecataeus
10
THE BEGINNINGS OF HELLENIZATION IN EGYPT
17
10
39
Copyright

32 other sections not shown

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Bibliographic information