Language:
French
Year of publication:
2003
Titel der Quelle:
Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period
Angaben zur Quelle:
34,2 (2003) 160-198
Keywords:
Moses
;
Posidonius
;
Diodorus,
;
Strabo
;
Josephus, Flavius.
;
Hellenism
;
Jews History To 500
;
Middle Eastern literature, Ancient Relation to the Bible
Abstract:
Discusses the views of the Stoic philosopher Posidonius of Apamea (135-51 BCE) on the Jews. Identifies Posidonius, whose writings have been lost, as the likely source for Strabo's excursus on the Jews in his "Geography" and Diodorus' text on the siege of Jerusalem by Antiochus VII. Strabo relates positively to Moses and the Jews, whereas Diodorus radically condemns both Moses and his laws. Josephus' "Contra Apionem" is analyzed as possibly drawing from Posidonius. Contends that these texts only seemingly contradict one another. All three show that Posidonius despised the Judaism of his time and the Hasmonean political leaders of Judea, though he recognized Moses as a wise and pious man and valued his monotheism. He considered Jewish religious practices as degenerate versions of Moses' teachings, but rejected the idea of eradicating them by force. Contrary to Apion, he did not think Jewish misanthropy justified violence against the Jews in Hellenistic cities.
DOI:
10.1163/157006303766489988
URL:
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