Language:
Italian
Year of publication:
2002
Titel der Quelle:
Atene e Roma
Angaben zur Quelle:
47,2-3 (2002) 80-97
Keywords:
Tacitus, Cornelius
;
Jews History
;
Antisemitism History To 500
Abstract:
Relates to book five of the "Historiae" by Tacitus (c. 55-120), in which he deals with the origin, customs, and beliefs of the Jews. States that Tacitus' portrait of the Jews was lugubrious, expressing the most negative stereotypes of his time. The stereotypes originated in Alexandria and spread throughout the Mediterranean world, including the view that the Jews had to leave Egypt in order to free the country from a terrible pestilence which they had brought, taking the pestilence with them. Contends that the reason for Tacitus' hostility toward the Jews was his perception that they were dangerous for the Roman Empire. Separation from the rest of society due to their rituals, the cruelty of the "Jewish wars" and the fact that the Jews were scattered throughout the Empire, mostly in a position of economic strength, contributed to Tacitus' negative perception.
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