History 4215 HONORS, Fall 2011 DRAFT

Jews under Greek and Roman RuleClass meets Tuesdays 3:30-5:20 in Wooten 215

Instructor: Prof. Christopher Fuhrmann (cfuhrmann@unt.edu). 264 Wooten (940) 565-4527Office Hours: Wednesdays 1-2:50, and by appointment

Course description:This Honors course investigates the history of the Jewish people from Alexander the Great to the spread of Islam, with special focus on the years 63 BCE to 138 CE (Pompey to Hadrian). Major topics include the Maccabean revolt, the Herodian dynasty, life in the diaspora, sects of Judaism, the ministry of Jesus and of Paul, the Jewish revolts, early Rabbinic Judaism, and the development of Christian anti-semitism. Readings include secondary sources by major modern scholars, and relevant ancient texts (the Hebrew Bible, inter-testamental literature, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the New Testament, Flavius Josephus and other historians, Talmudic excerpts, as well as documentary sources). This course will not focus on theology or matters of faith, and does not presuppose involvement with any particular religion; students from all backgrounds are equally welcome.

For the purposes of UNT History major requirements, this course can be counted in Group B or C.

Course goals:-To appreciate Judaism’s (surprising?) survival through a number of adverse historical contexts.-To study the development of post-biblical Judaism (and thereby the roots of its two monotheistic children, Christianity and Islam), and to understand diversity within ancient Judaism and Jewish communities.-To understand Christianity’s Jewish roots, and subsequent divorce from its mother religion.-To gauge how non-Jews viewed Jews and Judaism in antiquity, and to determine what their reactions tell us about the Greeks and Romans. Greeks and Romans were not uniformly antagonistic, but does the overall negativity in our sources mean Greeks and Romans were “antisemitic” per se? -To realize that Greeks, Romans and Jews were not always fighting each other. What strategies of coexistence did Jews employ? -To investigate why violence between Jews and gentiles did sometimes occur. What were the political, cultural and religious factors? -To see the Hellenistic world, and then the Roman Empire, as a smithy or crucible of ancient religion: When Alexander the Great, and later Pompey Magnus, conquered Israel, they didn’t know the eventual religious impact of their actions. And the Romans never would have imagined that in crucifying a single Jew circa 30CE, and then destroying the center of Jewish life (Jerusalem and the Temple) in 70CE, they were actually helping lay the framework for the successful growth and adaptation of two great monotheistic religions which would outstrip traditional (Greco-Roman) forms of polytheistic worship. Don’t understand what I mean? You will.-In general, to read and discuss interesting books of and about ancient religion (primary sources and modern scholarship).

Course Components-Two 8-12 page papers (double-spaced), each covering a different designated weekly special topic and each worth 25% of your grade, which will analyze (not summarize or narrate) readings and historical developments, including the nature of our primary sources and what is problematic about them. Papers must be submitted electronically through TurnItIn on our Blackboard page by 12:00pm on the day before the topic is discussed. No late papers will be accepted. See Blackboard for further guidance. -Numerous unannounced quizzes, worth 25% total of your final grade (typically but not always on the readings for that day); no makeup quizzes will be given but I drop the lowest one.

-Five reaction papers, each worth 5% of your grade, will be submitted to TurnItIn through our Blackboard page by noon (12pm) Tuesday, on the day we are to discuss that week’s readings. These reaction papers need to be well written and comprehensive, concisely covering all the required reading assigned on that day, addressing the major developments, problems, and conflicts evident in the sources of this period. Use the weekly paper topic as a kind of prompt, and do not just summarize the readings. You must do at least five total over the course of the semester, and you must do a reaction paper either on week 2 or week 3. You cannot do a reaction paper on a weekly topic for which you wrote a big paper. Length and format: 1-2 pp.; .doc, .docx, or .pdf; single-spaced with no blank spaces between paragraphs. Participation, attendance and preparation, broadly defined, can affect your grade (positively or negatively) by an additional 10%.

Final grades will be determined as follows, based on percent-averages of your grades:100-90=A (excellent) 89-80=B (good!) 79-70=C (mediocre) 69-60=D (poor) >60=F (fail)

Required books (7):1. Lawrence H. Schiffman, From Text to Tradition: A History of Second Temple & Rabbinic Judaism,

Ktav, 1991, ISBN 0881253723 -- henceforth we will call this Schiffman, FTT.

2. Lawrence H. Schiffman, Texts and Traditions: A Source Reader for the Study of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism, Ktav, ISBN 088125455X -- henceforth we will call this Schiffman, T&T.

3. Jodi Magness, The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Erdmans, 2002/3, 0802826873

4. S. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, Hendrickson, 2005, ISBN 156563795X

5. Martin Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilizations, Knopf, 2008, 0375726136

6. Miriam Pucci Ben Zeev, Diaspora Judaism in Turmoil, 116/117 CE: Ancient Sources and Modern Insights, Interdisciplinary Studies in Ancient Culture & Religion 6, Peeters, 2005, ISBN 9042916052.

7. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, M. D. Coogan, ed., 3rd (ISBN 019528478X) or 4th edition, ISBN 0195289552 (use of any other bible must be cleared with the professor).

Suggested but optional books (2 in student stores): 1. N. Solomon, Judaism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford U. P., ISBN 9780192853905. Also available via netLibrary through UNT library’s webpage.

2. Josephus, The Jewish War, Penguin revised edition by E. Mary Smallwood, 9780140444209.

Additional readings will be provided electronically via our internet space at ecampus.unt.edu (log on with your EUID at ecampus.unt.edu). You will need to check this space for updates/announcements before every class.

Tentative schedule:

WEEK 1 (Tuesday Aug 30): Introductions, expectations, and historical background (Early history of the Hebrews/Jews, the Torah, kings, fall of the Kingdoms, Babylonian captivity, and Persian rule).Required reading: “BibleGuide.doc” and “OT-reading1&2.doc” on Blackboard; from the Bible, Genesis 1-19, 21-22, 25, 27, 32-33, 50; Exodus 1, 20-22, 32; Leviticus 7:22-27, 11-12, 15, 18; Numbers 31; Deuteronomy 5-10, 27-30, 32- 34; Joshua 1, 5:13-7:1, 2 Samuel 11-12.

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Suggested (but optional) readings, for background: Solomon, Judaism: A Very Short Intro.; ---Schiffman, FTT Chapters 1-3 and pp. 80-82; Schiffman T&T Chapters 1-3; -M. Winn Leith, “Israel among the Nations,” Chapter 8 in M. Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical WorldB. Porten, Archives from Elephantine: The Life of an Ancient Jewish Military Colony, Preface, Chs. 1, 4

*Paper topic 1: Jewish life under the Persian Empire (see prof. if you wish to write on this topic)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 2 (Sep 6): Alexander the Great and Hellenism; Alexandria and the LXXReadings: (to be completed before class)1. L. Greenspoon, “Between Alexandria and Antioch: Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic Period,” Chapter 9

in M. Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 317-25.2. P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 1 (1-11)3. Bible: Daniel 1-6, with J. E. Bowley, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, 414-420; also read introductory material for all bible readings in the New Oxford Annotated Bible.4. Schiffman, FTT 60-72, 82-975. Schiffman T&T 211-18 (Letter of Aristeas on the LXX)6. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 97-1057. M. Reinhold, Diaspora, selections TBA

For experts only:P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 2 (13-25)

Recommended but not required:Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, 1-50, 79-81, 83, 85, 87-91, 101-2, 116, 237-56 (=75pp)Tcherikover, Hellenistic Civilization and the Jews, 1-90, 269-95, 344-402

*Special topic 2: Evaluate early Jewish-Greek interactions, esp. in the first 100 years after Alexander. (Remember, papers must be submitted electronically through TurnItIn on Blackboard by 12:00pm on the day before the topic is discussed--for this week, i.e. Monday Sept. 5th.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 3 (Sep 13):

The Maccabees (a.k.a. Hasmoneans)Readings: On the historical situation:1. Skim Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, 117-222. P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 3 (27-58)3. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 47-50, 105-64. Schiffman, FTT 72-79, skim 121-305. L. Greenspoon, “Between Alexandria and Antioch: Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic

Period,” Chapter 9 in M. Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 326-38.6. Josephus, Jewish War reading: pp. 33-43 (circa BJ 1.37-120), and pp. 406-407.7. M. Reinhold, Diaspora, selections TBA

On the literary background of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees, building up for those two primary sources:7. J. E. Bowley, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, 414-420 and 446-52.8. M. D. Coogan, The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction, 499-511, 523, 540-43

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9. Bible: Daniel 7-12.; from the Apocrypha section: 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees with my helpful file “MaccabeesDiscussion.doc,” and always read the New Oxford Annotated Bible introductions for any bible reading.

For experts: Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, 81-90, 101-16 (never-mind the foreign terms)P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 4

Optional:-L. Feldman, “Josephus’ Portrayal of the Hasmoneans Compared with 1 Maccabees.”-Read or skim selectively in Schiffman, FTT Ch. 5-6 and T&T Ch. 5-6, but concentrate on material from 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. Also, if available, the Megillat Antiochus.

*Special topic 3: Evaluate the aims of Antiochus IV’s policies, and Maccabean tactics of resistance. Howdid they end up winning? What role did Hellenistic culture, war and international politics play, before, during, and after the conflict?----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 4 (Sep 20): Coming of Rome; Herod and Augustus

Readings: 1. L. Greenspoon, “Between Alexandria and Antioch: Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic

Period,” Chapter 9 in M. Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 339-50.2. A-J Levine, “Visions of Kingdoms: From Pompey to the First Jewish Revolt,” Chapter 10 in M.

Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 351-67.3. P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 5 (81-98)4. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 50-62, 1935. S. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, 147-60 (note the useful maps)6. Schiffman, FTT 139-46; skim 121-307. “Augustus-HerodReadings.doc” on Blackboard (incl. Cassius Dio 37.15-19, Suetonius)8. Schiffman T&T 182-183, 186-95, 369-96, 504-79. Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, 139 (the last sentence is utterly brazen)10. J. E. Bowley, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, 453-56.11-12. Bible (Apocrypha): 3 and 4 Maccabees, with New Oxford Annotated Bible introductions.

For experts:S. J. D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Ch. 5 (119-66; OK to skim 131-37) (sects)

Optional:Josephus, Jewish War reading: pp. 44-119 (circa BJ 1.120-673)Bible, NT: Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, 140-47 on priests and Levites, 161-76 on Scribes and Sages

*Special topic 4: Without writing a historical narrative, explain how the Jews went from independence under the Hasmoneans (Maccabees) to

relative domination by Rome. What role did Herod the Great play, and to what extent was he a successful ruler? How did different Jewish sects respond to

the new political realities in the age of Herod?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 5 (Sep 27):

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Herod’s sons; Sadducees, Pharisees, Samaritans

Readings: 1. Recall L. Greenspoon, “Between Alexandria and Antioch: Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic

Period,” Chapter 9 in M. Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 342-49.2. A-J Levine, “Visions of Kingdoms: From Pompey to the First Jewish Revolt,” Chapter 10 in M.

Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 369-75.3. P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 6 (101-17)4. Schiffman, FTT 98-112, 146-525. Schiffman T&T 266-76, 397-400 (Josephus on Pontius Pilate), 408-13, 515-5196. S. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, 157-64, 193-2367. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 96-7, 166-8, 240-48, 336-408. S. J. D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Ch. 5 (119-66; OK to skim 131-37) (sects)9. Josephus, Jewish War reading: pp. 120-147 (circa BJ 2.1-265; consider reading this first)10. M. Reinhold, Diaspora, selections TBA

For experts:M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 63, 71-85, 108-15, 199-203Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, 140-47 on priests and Levites

Optional:M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 12 (488-510) -- good for those unfamiliar with ChristianityBickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, 161-76 on Scribes and Sages, if availableExcerpts from H. Maccoby’s The Mythmaker

*Special topic 5: What fundamental divisions and problems among Jews of the Levant are apparent in the sources describing this period (4BCE-ca. 40CE)? How does the Jesus movement fit into this picture, and

how does his ministry look from a Jewish, and Roman, perspective? (Focus on Jesus’ context, not on Jesus himself. He will be the focus next week.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 6 (Oct 4):

The Jesus Movement

1. Christian New Testament, Gospel of Mark 14:43-15:45, Gospel of Matthew 1-7 and 26:47-27:66, Gospel of Luke 22:66-23:56. Read scholarly introduction to each of the four canonical gospels (i.e. including John) in the New Oxford Annotated Bible. Paper writers: Cite these introductions, and editors’ footnotes, by page number, specifying which edition you’re using the first time you cite it (and not thereafter). Note style guidelines in “BibleGuide.doc” from Week 1.2. B. D. Ehrman, Jesus, 32-40, 55-63, 87-123, 128-29, 141-67, 183-93, 200-25, 234-44, and other pages if you wish.3. E. P. Sanders, The Historical Figure of Jesus, selected chapters TBA.4. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 190-955. For some hints of the later view of Jesus in broader imperial society, see “RomeANDChristianity.doc” on Blackboard.Experts: F. Millar, “Reflections on the Trial of Jesus”

*Special topic 6: Gentiles often forget that Jesus was a Jew. What was particularly “Jewish” about his ministry? To what extent did he reflect

Jewish traditions, and to what extent did he challenge the Jewish authorities

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of his day? In what ways was he a problematic -- even dubious -- figure, for both traditional Jews, and Romans? Finally, how is our search for

the historical Yeshua impeded by the nature of our sources?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 7 (Oct 11):

The Dead Sea Scrolls and Jewish SectsReadings: A-J Levine, “Visions of Kingdoms: From Pompey to the First Jewish Revolt,” Chapter 10 in M.

Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 367-369.Re-read S. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Ch. 5, focusing on material relevant to Essenes and

the Dead Sea ScrollsSchiffman, FTT 112-20, 130-38 Schiffman T&T 276-99, 354-62M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 230-31, 348-52Jodi Magness, The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls: skim Ch. 1, read Ch. 3, pp. 63-

71 of Ch. 4; skim Ch. 5, read Chs. 6-9

For experts:Schiffman T&T Ch. 7 (skim).

*Special topic 7: What are the Dead Sea scrolls, and what do they show us about Judaism that we wouldn’t have known otherwise? What does archaeology add to our knowledge of the people who made the scrolls? How well do the literary sources, archaeological evidence, and scrolls themselves line up with each other?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 8 (Oct 18): Paul vs. the Jewish Christians

Readings: 1. Bart Ehrman, Jesus pp. 17, 49-52, 78-9, 86, 230-2312. S. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, 164-209, and on James, 236-483. From the Bible, Paul’s letter to the Philippians chapter 3 and all of his epistle to the Galatians, with academic intro à la Oxford Annotated Bible or other serious resource. Also read scholarly introductions (one or two pages, like in the Oxford Annot.) to Acts of the Apostles, Paul’s epistle to the Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians (the introductions at the Catholic Bible website are minimally sufficient: www.usccb.org/nab/bible )

ALSO read1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 1 Cor. 1, 6, 8, 12 Romans 2-5, 9:6-11:36, 12:14-13:10, 14:14-21, 15-16 Colossians 2 (Paul may not have written this letter)

For non-Pauline theology in the NT, note Matthew 25:31-46, The Epistle/Letter of James 1-2

4. B. Ehrman, Lost Christianities, 95-105, 109-112, 181-84; just skim 106-8. (“EhrmLstChrsts.pdf”)5. More Bible: Acts of the Apostles (Short on time? Focus on 2:43-6:15, 7:44-9:35, 10 (all), 11:19-20:3, 20:16, 21:7-27:3)Note: Because of various problems, many historians read Acts as a historical novel rather than a strictly factual history.

6. M. Hengel, “The Pre-Christian Paul,” in J. Lieu, J. North and T. Rajak, edd., The Jews among Pagans 6

and Christians in the Roman Empire, 29-50. (“Hengel.pdf”)7. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 73, 155, 311-12

8. Finally, read selectively from excerpts of H. Maccaby’s Mythmaker: Paul and the Invention of Christianity (“Mythmaker.pdf”); take with a grain of salt.

To skim :Skim to get a taste of B. Ehrman, Lost Scriptures 191-200 and Kerygmata Petrou (“Preaching of Peter”), in

Schneemelcher, NT Apocrypha v. 2, 110-16, 120-23, both on Blackboard.1 Clement (on Blackboard, skim; the main question: For Clement, what are the sources of authority?), with my background memo. Don’t get bogged down or spend much time on this text!

For experts:-Read all of Hyam Maccoby’s Mythmaker PDF, and all of the skim list.-Daniel Boyarin, A Radical Jew, Ch. 6, “Was Paul an “Anti-Semite”? (access via netLibrary or, better, escholarship.org: www.escholarship.org/editions/view?docId=ft7w10086w&chunk.id=ch6 )

Optional:M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 12 (488-510) -- good for those unfamiliar with ChristianityS. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, 251-302

*Special topic 8: What is Paul’s significance in the history of Judaism? How was he different from earlier Christians, and what characterized his relationship to them? How did his opponents and rivals view him?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 9 (Oct 25):

Jews in Rome, Italy and Greco-Roman EgyptReadings: in no particular order-A-J Levine, “Visions of Kingdoms: From Pompey to the First Jewish Revolt,” Chapter 10 in M.

Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 375-76.-M. Goodman, “Jewish Proselytizing in the First Century,” in J. Lieu, J. North and T. Rajak, edd., The

Jews among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire, 53-61, 72-75.-Schiffman FTT 90-91, 94-97; Schiffman T&T 186-210, skim 220-30 (pay attention to dates)-Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem 366-76-Excerpt from Cicero’s speech, Pro Flacco (CiceroProFlaccus.doc)-Claudius to Nero to Vespasian Readings (.doc,) including a link to Claudius’ Letter to the Alexandrians-L. V. Rutgers, “Roman Policy towards the Jews: Expulsions from the City” (read for big picture)

-Recall relevant scenes from Acts of the Apostles-Sherk, The Roman Empire: Augustus to Hadrian, documents 39, 43-45, 81

-N. Lewis, Life in Egypt under Roman Rule, Chapter 2 (focus on pp. 28-31) and Chapter 10-Bowman, Egypt after the Pharaohs, 122-125, 208-214, 226-227-E. Gruen, Diaspora, Introduction (1-11)

-Mason, Josephus and the NT, 131-41

Skim:Giordano & Kahn, The Jews in Pompeii, Herculaneum . . . and in the cities of Campania, 7-47, 72-85 (Pompeii.pdf)

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Optional:From Loyalty and Dissidence in Roman Egypt, Andrew Harker’s new Cambridge U.P. book on the “Acta Alexandrinorum,” (focus on the Claudius material; more will be posted, and assigned, later):http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780511402227&ss=exc

For experts:E. Gruen, Diaspora, Ch. 1, “The Jews in Rome” (15-53); Ch. 2, “The Jews in Alexandria” (54-83)Harker, Loyalty and Dissidence in Roman Egypt, Appendix IIM. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 139-46

*Special topic 9: What was life like in the diaspora? To what extent do we see integration and cooperative coexistence with gentiles? Where do we see conflict and exclusion, and what do you make of it? Finally,

does the Egyptian evidence suggest that the life of Jews in Roman Egypt was different from other areas?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 10 (Nov 1):

The First Jewish revolt.Readings: A-J Levine, “Visions of Kingdoms: From Pompey to the First Jewish Revolt,” Chapter 10 in M.

Coogan, ed., Oxford History of the Biblical World 376-86.P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 7 (121-29)Schiffman, FTT 157-61, 170-71Schiffman T&T 479-86, 397-407, 429-46, 515-16.Three excerpts from Josephus’ Jewish War: a. The Preface (BJpref.pdf) b. Josephus on the Roman Army (.html) c. How Josephus Quit Worrying and Learned to Love the Romans: Jos. BJ 3.383-407 (p. 220-3, Peng.)S. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, 31-54, 165-76M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Introduction (3-5) and Prologue (7-16), 317-32, 359-65)E. P. Sanders, Judaism: Practice and Belief: 63BCE-66CE, Epilogue (491-93)

Josephus, Jewish War reading: pp. 146-286 (circa BJ 2.223-4.654)

For experts:M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 11 (379-423)S. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, 64-99, 141

Optional: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSELOCMmw4A and www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIAdHEwiAy8 From Monty Python’s Life of Brian

*Special topic 10: What was the background of the firstrevolt? (Focus on immediate causes; be very concise on

broader, deeper causes.) Whose fault was it, and why didevents unfold in such a way that resulted in a full-scale war?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 11 (Nov 8):

The First Jewish Revolt, continued; outcomes

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Readings: Keep the readings from last week in mind, and BRING Pucci Ben Zeev’s Diaspora Judaism in Turmoil book.

M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Introduction (3-5), Prologue (esp. 12-25), 416-53Schiffman, FTT 161-70Schiffman T&T 446-479, 326-9 (= Baruch)P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 8 (131-42)Bible (Apocrypha): 2 Esdras 3-14 (= 4 Ezra)Schürer, History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ, vol. 1, 520-28

Consider (with grains of salt--he is not a historian) P. J. O’Rourke’s thoughts, from Give War a Chance (do not print. First published in 1992, in the wake of the first Gulf War.)

Finally, note http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Titus (but never trust anything Wikipedia says) and http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/romanurbs/archtitus.html (never trust anything you read on the internet; I include these two sites for the pictures as much as anything.)

Josephus, Jewish War reading: pp. 287-408 (BJ 5.1-7.444)

For experts:M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 12 (424-53); also note pp. 501, 555-56.S. Mason, Josephus and the New Testament, 2nd edn, 64-99, 141Smallwood, The Jews under Roman Rule, 327-88

Trying to understand the Roman perspective, wrestle with Hannah Cotton’s paper “The Roman Army in the Province of Judaea,” found in the longer PDF file from the book edited by Lukas de Blois, Impact of Empire vol. 6: Impact of the Roman Army, “deBloisImpactofRmnArmy.pdf”. OK to skim the first two and last two pages, i.e. focus on pp. 396-404. FYI: regarding her material on Masada on pp. 401-404, she shouldn’t cite Roth’s radical new Masada time-line as established fact.

*Special topic 11: What were the post-war effects of the first revolt, to circa 100CE? How did Rome’s victory affect Jews and Romans, and what were the religious implications (Jewish, pagan, and Christian)?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 12 (Nov 15):

The 2nd and 3rd Jewish revolts

*Take-home quiz on Pucci Ben Zeev’s book* due at the beginning of class

Readings: 1. Recall N. Lewis, Life in Egypt under Roman Rule, 30-31, and last week’s readings2. Pucci Ben Zeev, Diaspora Judaism in Turmoil, entire (OK to skim, but not skip, Chapters 5 and 6). Note my helpful memo on Blackboard, front page.3. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 12 (esp. 446--87)4. P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 9 (145-60)5. Excerpts from Livius.org http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar07.html (some errors here -- this site is made by some Dutch people {hence the rough Englisch in places}; not all of them are professional academics.)www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk01.htmlwww.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk02.htmlwww.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk03.htmlwww.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk04.html

www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk05.htmlwww.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk06.htmlwww.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk07.htmlwww.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/bk08.html

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6. Schiffman, FTT 171-79, 214-19 (very important)7. Schiffman T&T 487-95

For experts: Schiffman T&T 741-44 (#13.9.4), 570

Optional: See what you make of Meyer’s paper, “What Have the Romans ever Done for Us?”

*Special topic 12: Evaluate the background, aims and outcomes of the second revolt (under Trajan, a.k.a. the Diaspora revolt) and the third revolt (Bar Kochba, under Hadrian).

You must address both revolts, but can focus a little on one more than the other.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 13 (Nov 22): Jewish life in the diaspora and Roman anti-semitism

Readings: 1-2. “RomanAntiSemitism.doc” and “JuvenalOnJews.pdf” on Blackboard; 3. Schiffman, FTT 179-207 and 240-65 4. Schiffman T&T pp. 199-203, 497-514 and 744-48 (magic); skim Chs. 12 & 13 to get a taste.5. Enjoy Betz, ed., The Greek Magical Papyri; look at Jewish themes on pp. 182-87, 189 to end (don’t sweat the extreme obscurity!!!)6. S. J. D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Ch.7 (205-23)7. Benjamin Isaac, The Invention of Racism in Classical Antiquity, 440-4848. Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, Ch. 20, “The Midrash,” 177-919. Also note Jacob Neusner, Invitation to the Talmud, Foreward, Ch. 1, 2, et al. (read selectively)

For experts:J. Rubenstein, The Culture of the Babylonian Talmud, Intro and Epilogue (1-15, 143, 158-166)M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, 265-302M. Goodman, preface to the 2nd edn of State and Society in Roman Galilee, AD 132-212, pp. vii-xiv (Chapter

1, on sources and methods, and Chapter 2 on geography are optional)Recall Acta Alexandrinorum from Week 9, mindful of their continued circulation

Optional:L. Feldman, “Some Observations on Rabbinic Reaction to Roman Rule.” (Studies in Hell. Judaism, 438ff)

*Special topic 13: What explains Judaism’s continued survival after the revolts? What were Roman attitudes in this period (approx. second and third centuries)? In what ways did the lives of Jews change, and

how did their religion adapt to new circumstances? (Note: Do not focus on the causes of the second [diaspora] revolt, or the relationship with Christians. These are topics from other weeks.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WEEK 14 (Nov 29:

Jewish reaction to Christianity and early Christian anti-semitism

Readings: Covering the NT (viz. John and Hebrews), Jewish texts (esp. Talmud), gnostic tracts, and later Christian literature, enumerated {1}, {2}, etc. Readings required only for experts are marked {*}

Background:{1} M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 12, pages 501-8 only, and Epilogue, 550-57.

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{*} Lieu, “History and Theology in Christian Views of Judaism,” in J. Lieu et al., edd., The Jews among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire, 79-95. (Approx. dates for some Christian theologians she mentions: Ignatius = 90, Antioch; Tertullian = 200, Carthage; Origen = 250, Alexandria; John Chrysostom = 400, Antioch, then Constantinople; Augustine = early 400s, North Africa. Jerome was active in Palestine around the same time. She also mentions Julian “The Apostate” = emperor of the Roman Empire 361-363, pagan nephew of Constantine. If you have trouble understanding this article, save it for last.)

Tackling issues in the Gospel of John:{2} B. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Intro. to the Early Christian Writings, 3rd edn, pp. 157 (Box 10.2) and 170-74, from Chapter 10, in the file “EhrmanTheNTHistIntro.pdf” Please note: the socio-historic model suggested by the author is not his own; it was developed by modern *Christian* theologians.{3} Coogan, New Oxford Annotated Bible introduction to the Gospel of John (NT 146-47, on Blackboard as “CoognJohnOAB.pdf”){4} Selections from the Gospel of John: 1:1-18, 2:13-25, 3:22-4:27, 5:1-30, 7:1-52, 8:29-9:34, 10:22-42, 11:45-12:43, 15:18-16:4, 18:1-19:42, 21:1-end.

{5} Next, carefully read an academic introduction to Hebrews in the New Testament, with chapters 3-4, 8-10:4, 11:39-40, 12:14-24 of that work. Quickly skim the rest.

{6} L. Feldman, “Is the New Testament Anti-Semitic?”{7} B. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Intro., Chapter 25 (408-425) (“EhrmanTheNTHistIntro”)

{*} A related text which didn’t quite make it into the NT, the Epistle of Barnabas, from Ehrman, The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings: A Reader, 352-64 (= “Barnab.pdf”)

Jewish perspectives:{8a, 8b} Schiffman, FTT 152-55; Schiffman T&T 414-21 (On Blackboard as “Schiffman.pdf”){9} On Jesus’ paternity, Fr. Raymond Brown, Birth of the Messiah, Appendix V (534-37){10} Also note the current Jewish liturgy in the file “18Benedictions.doc”; #12 derives from this period.{11} For baggage/context that often shapes how Jews see their past, take a quick look at the dreary list found here: http://buddychai.com/Religion/Alas.html .

Gnosticism:{12} Elaine Pagels, The Gnostic Gospels, pp. 28-37 (all of Chapter 2 is included in the PDF, if you opt to read more) {13} “EhrmLstScrpts3corFlor.pdf” containing the pseudo-Pauline Third Letter to the Corinthians (anti-Gnostic), and Ptolemy’s (gnostic) letter to Flora. Culled from Ehrman, Lost Scriptures (156-59, 201-206){*} Then try the “Hypostasis of the Archons,” at http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/hypostas.html , alternate translation at www.haverford.edu/relg/faculty/amcguire/relg221b/hyparchons.htm .{*} April Deconick, “Gospel Truth” (New York Times, 12/1/2007)

Second- and third-century Christian literature:{14} Fragmentary gospels: The Gospel of Peter (the weirdness of the crucifixion scene may suggest gnostic influence) and Papyrus Egerton 2, Gospel of the Ebionites, the Gospel of the Nazareans, the Gospel according to the Hebrews, all from Ehrman, The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings: A Reader (OtherGospls.pdf)

Further wrestling with the Jewish question by Christians (some overlap in these files):{15} Read Ehrman, Lost Christianities, 95-112, 181-84 = “EhrmLstChrsts.pdf” on Ebionites, Marcionites.

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{16} Read B. Ehrman, Lost Scriptures 191-200 (“EhrmLstScrpts.pdf”) and Lost Scriptures 157-59 (3 Corinthians), 201-206 (“EhrmLstScrpts3CorFlor.pdf”).{17} “The Preachings of Peter,” ca. 200CE (“KerygmataPetrou.pdf”, OK to skim 114-120) in Schneemelcher, NT Apocrypha vol. 2, 110-16, 120-23

{18} 5 Ezra = 2 Esdras 1-2 (on Blackboard, = Coogan’s New Ox. Ann. Bible APOCRYPHA 320-25)

{19-20} Christian martyr literature (called acta or passio): a. Acts of Scillitan Martyrs (180CE: www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/scillitan.html ) b. Martyrdom of Polycarp, ONLY paragraphs 6, 12-13, 17 (mid 2nd cent: www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/martyrdompolycarp-lake.html )

{21} Ehrman, After the New Testament, Ch. 5 (pp. 95-130), containing the Epistle of Barnabas, Justin’s “Dialogue with Trypho”, Melito’s On the Passover, and Tertullian’s Answer to the Jews (ca. 200 CE) (“EhrmanAfterTheNT5.pdf”)

I have posted two additional PDFs containing another translation Melito of Sardis’ homily.

NOTE: This week’s reading load for non-experts is about 195 pages. Paperwriters: be clear with your citations (for example, make sure I can tell which of Ehrman’s books you’re citing, and if you’re actually citing a primary source, clarify which one.) Cite primary sources by their chapter or paragraph and verse or line number, when possible.

Optional:Benjamin Isaac, The Invention of Racism in Classical Antiquity, 484-491.

For experts: readings marked {*} (see above)

*Special topic 14: Christian and Jewish literature of the late first through early third centuries reveal several different attitudes on Jewish-Christian relations. Judging by these readings, how did Christians and Jews understand (or misunderstand) each other in this period? How did each affect the other’s religious history in this period? NOTE: Paul was an early, important figure in this story, but one we have already covered extensively. Your paper should not focus on him, but on later material.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 15 (Dec 6): Late antiquity (and beyond)

Readings: 1. M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 14 (530-50)2. P. Schäfer, History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Ch. 10 (163-94)3. Schiffman, FTT 206-13; 220-39, 266-694. Schiffman T&T 421-27 and Ch. 11 (esp. 571-96); Sample enough of Chs. 12 & 13 to get a taste. 5. H. Sivan’s Palestine in Late Antiquity (Oxford, 2008), Introduction (“SivanIntro.pdf”)6. D. Boyarin, Borderlines, Preface and Ch 1 (Introduction)7. F.Millar, “The Jews of the Greco-Roman Diaspora between Paganism and Christianity, AD312-438,” in J.

Lieu, J. North and T. Rajak, edd., The Jews among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire, 97-121.

For experts: J. North, “The Development of Religious Pluralism,” in J. Lieu, J. North and T. Rajak, edd., The Jews

among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire, esp. pp. 190ff.H. Sivan, Palestine in Late Antiquity (Oxford, 2008), Chapter 1 (“Sivan1.pdf”) and Epilogue (“Sivan2.pdf”)D. Boyarin, Borderlines, Ch. 8

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R. Bagnall, Egypt in Late Antiquity brief excerpt (note meagerness of the evidence)

Optional: M. Goodman, Rome and Jerusalem, Ch. 13, pages 515-22 (background on Constantine).

*Special topic 15: How did the conversion of Constantine and the subsequent Christianization of the Roman Empire affect Jews and Judaism? Evaluate the Jews’ position from the fourth century, and beyond.

Conclusion of the course; all read:Bickerman, The Jews in the Greek Age, Ch. 26, “A Retrospect,” 298-305D. Gordis, “When the Maccabees Blew up the King David Hotel” (modern Israel)G. Boccaccio, The Decameron, pages 32-38 ONLY (mid 1300s, early Renaissance Italy)Shylock’s soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEEK 16 : Dec. 13. Final exam week (TBA: if there are no canceled classes, we will probably not meet this day, and unless a change is later necessary, there will be no exams in this course.)

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: If you cheat or commit any other act of academic dishonesty, you fail the course, or worse. Your papers (book reviews, reaction papers, take-home quizzes and essays) must be individual endeavors (though I encourage you to use the Writing Center). I am particularly determined to prevent WEB PLAGIARISM. If you cut and paste from the web on for any class assignment, and fail to credit your source, I will do everything in my power to have you expelled from the university. See www.unt.edu/csrr/academic_dishonesty.htm for more information.

ADA STATEMENT: I fully intend to comply with the American Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. However, students with special needs must do two things: first, they must successfully apply for services with UNT’s Office of Disability Accommodations (http://www.unt.edu/oda/ ); second, they must take initiative in communicating with me so that I can help provide the necessary accommodations.

Additional, optional books (not in student stores):N. de Lange, Judaism, 2nd edn, Oxford. Overview of Judaism as a religion.M. D. Coogan, The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Intro., Oxford. Good on early books.M. D. Coogan, ed., The Oxford History of the Biblical World, Oxford. Good on early periods.R. Talbert, Atlas of Classical History, Routledge. Highly recommended for the geography-challengedE. Bickerman, Jews in the Greek Age, Harvard, 1990, ISBN 0674474910P. Schäfer, The History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World, Routledge (good, but out of print)S. J. D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, 2nd edn, WJKA.K. Bowman, Egypt after the Pharaohs, California.Victor Tcherikover, Hellenistic Civilization and the Jews, Hendrickson.A. H. M. Jones, The Herods of Judaea, Oxford, 1938.J. Knoblet, Herod the Great, University Press of America, 2005.E. P. Sanders, Judaism: Practice and Belief: 63BCE-66CET. Lim, The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford U. P.E. M. Smallwood, The Jews under Roman Rule, Brill (Highly recommended, but rather advanced)

* The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus *

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