What was life like for Jews settled throughout the Mediterranean world of Classical antiquity--and what place did Jewish communities have in the diverse civilization dominated by Greeks and Romans? In a probing account of the Jewish diaspora in the four centuries from Alexander the Great's conquest of the Near East to the Roman destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 C.E.; Erich Gruen reaches often surprising conclusions.By the first century of our era; Jews living abroad far outnumbered those living in Palestine and had done so for generations. Substantial Jewish communities were found throughout the Greek mainland and Aegean islands; Asia Minor; the Tigris-Euphrates valley; Egypt; and Italy. Focusing especially on Alexandria; Greek cities in Asia Minor; and Rome; Gruen explores the lives of these Jews: the obstacles they encountered; the institutions they established; and their strategies for adjustment. He also delves into Jewish writing in this period; teasing out how Jews in the diaspora saw themselves. There emerges a picture of a Jewish minority that was at home in Greco-Roman cities: subject to only sporadic harassment; its intellectuals immersed in Greco-Roman culture while refashioning it for their own purposes; exhibiting little sign of insecurity in an alien society; and demonstrating both a respect for the Holy Land and a commitment to the local community and Gentile government. Gruen's innovative analysis of the historical and literary record alters our understanding of the way this vibrant minority culture engaged with the dominant Classical civilization.
#870149 in Books Belknap Press of Harvard University Press 2001-05-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.76 x 6.66 x 9.50l; 2.68 #File Name: 0674004736768 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Complete history from pre-imperial Rus to Putin's Russian FederationBy William A. HeideckerOne of the best written books I’ve read and I’m an avid reader as well as someone who has always had an interest in Russia. The book is a joy to read. It is lengthy (622 pages plus notes and index). At this particular time (summer 2014); understanding Russian history and culture makes it easier to understand the basis for the Russian government’s actions and this book certainly does that. My only criticism is that Hosking uses Russian words (e.g.; artel); which he defines once; but then re-uses the words. I understand the author’s desire to use Russian words; some of which don’t always clearly translate into English; but a vocabulary appendix would help. I found it useful to build my own with the help of a Russian dictionary.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Informative and detailed.By VeronicaThe book ranges from every peace of history from Russia reaching from their farthest beginnings of Russia to the outcomes on the fall of the Soviet Union. In the very beginning it also describes Russia's geographical/agricultural status and then moves on to their steady development. I would highly recommend this book to anyone; whether you are doing research or just interested in history.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Everything I Never even Knew I wanted to Know about Russia and the Soviet Union.By Robert W. HarrisThis is a very readable and enjoyable book about every aspect of Russian Historyfrom the beginning of time through the collapse of the Soviet Union. This book explains the if-then phenomena of Russian and Slavic history.
