Language:
English
Year of publication:
1989
Titel der Quelle:
Binah; Studies in Jewish History, Thought and Culture
Angaben zur Quelle:
1 (1989) 15-46
Keywords:
Tacitus, Cornelius
;
Antisemitism History To 500
Abstract:
Analyzes Tacitus' antagonistic writings on the origins and customs of the Jews in the fifth book of his "Histories." The chapters on the Jews were based on Greek and Roman literary sources, which he edited according to his own prejudices. States that his conjectures, fabrications, and distortions were not created out of blind hatred, but with deliberate intent to justify the elimination of the Jewish religion. Tacitus (55-117) abhorred the corruption and immorality of Roman society, and the success of Jewish religious propaganda and proselytizing in contemporary Rome. He viewed the Jews' organizational power, in particular, as a threat to the foundations of Roman society. His hatred of Israel developed from a philosophical bias: he believed, due to their self-segregation, that Jews preached a "hatred of mankind" ("odium generis humani" - a sin ascribed to Jews and Christians) as opposed to the Roman idea of "humanity." His apprehensions were justified, but it was Christianity which ultimately conquered Roman society.
Note:
Appeared in Hebrew in "Zion" 8, 1943.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
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