Josephus Geographicus

The Classical Context of Geography in Josephus
1. Auflage 2004
ISBN: 978-3-16-148256-4
Verlag: Mohr Siebeck

Buch, Englisch, Band 98, 305 Seiten, Format (B × H): 237 mm x 162 mm, Gewicht: 611 g

Reihe: Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism

Why did ancient historians include geographical descriptions in their historical works? How does the spatial description fulfill its goal? In this book, Yuval Shahar discusses these two questions, showing that the answers depend on the particular historian and the genre in which he is writing. He analyzes and compares the presentation of geographical space in the writings of Herodotus, Thucydides, Polybius and Strabo, with selected illustrations from early Latin historiography. It is clear from this that Flavius Josephus consciously and definitively follows the generic approach of Polybius and Strabo. Moreover, Josephus' descriptions of parts of the Land of Israel are structured in the same way as the descriptions in Strabo's Geography, and reflect a hidden dialogue between Josephus and Strabo. Awareness of these generic characteristics enables a new reading of some of Josephus' most famous descriptions, such as Jotapata, Gamala and Masada, and establishes his credibility.

Zielgruppe

Scholars of Jewish Studies, Antiquity, History, Classical Studies and ancient historiography, corresponding institutes and libraries.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Shahar, Yuval

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Jüdische Studien Geschichte des Judentums Geschichte des Judentums: Biblische & Klassische Periode
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie

Über Autor(innen)

Shahar, Yuval
Born 1953; studied Jewish History and Jewish Philosophy at Tel Aviv University; currently Senior Lecturer in the Department of Jewish History and Head of The Multidisciplinary Program in the Humanities, Tel Aviv University.

Yuval Shahar: Born 1953; 1996 Ph.D at Tel Aviv University, School of Jewish Studies; since 1984 lecturer at the Department of Jewish History, Tel Aviv University.