BACCHIUS IUDAEUS

A Denarius Commemorating Pompey's Victory over Judea
1. Auflage 2015
ISBN: 978-3-525-54045-9
Verlag: Vandenhoeck + Ruprecht

Buch, Englisch, Band 104, 169 Seiten, gebunden, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 238 mm, Gewicht: 421 g

Reihe: Novum Testamentum et Orbis Antiquus / Studien zur Umwelt des Neuen Testaments

James M. Scott examines a denarius minted in Rome in 55 bce which is visually fascinating but conceptually enigmatic. On its obverse, around the head of a female figure with turreted crown, appears the name A. Plautius, who held the office of aedilis curulis in that year; on its reverse is a camel, in front of which a male figure kneels on his right leg, holding the camel’s reins in his left hand and extending a branch in his right hand; the legend reads: BACCHIVS IVDAEVS.Scott’s study argues that the oft-suggested connection between Aristobulus’ gift of the golden vine (from the Temple) and the Bacchius Iudaeus denarius does seem to merit further investigation. To that end,he examines, first, Pompey’s own agenda in having the coin minted. It is shown that the year the denarius appeared, 55 bce, was the same year in which Pompey dedicated his spectacular theater-temple in Rome, and, furthermore, that these very public displays are related as expressions of Pompey’s Dionysian pretensions. Second, Scott examines each element of the denarius in question, looking for clues as to the meaning of Bacchius Iudaeus. It is shown that the Latin inscription refers first and foremost to the god Bacchus/Dionysus via an interpretatio Romana. Finally, he explores the possible implications of his investigation for the precise date of the fall of Jerusalem in 63 bce. Scott’s study delves deeply into Judaism at the beginning of the Roman era, using the Roman coin to highlight the complex interface between Greco-Roman and Jewish religiocultural institutions of the period.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Scott, James M.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften Neues Testament: Exegese, Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Kultur- und Ideengeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Jüdische Studien Geschichte des Judentums Geschichte des Judentums: Biblische & Klassische Periode
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Kirchengeschichte

Leseproben

James M. Scott examines a denarius minted in Rome in 55 bcewhich is visually fascinating but conceptually enigmatic. On its reverse is a camel, in front of which a male figure kneels on his right leg, extending a branch in his right hand; the legend reads: BACCHIVS IVDAEVS.
Scott’s study arguesthat the oft-suggested connection between Aristobulus’ gift of the golden vine and the Bacchius Iudaeusdenarius does merit further investigation. It is shown that the Latin inscription refers to the god Bacchus/Dionysus via an interpretatio Romanaand is an expression of Pompey’s Dionysian pretensions.>

Über Autor(innen)

Scott, James M.
Dr. theol. James M. Scott is Professor of Religious Studies at Trinity Western University.

Dr. theol. James M. Scott is Professor of Religious Studies at Trinity Western University.