The History of the Jews in the Greco-Roman World 2nd Edition

An excellent overview of the major historical events between Alexander the Great and the Bar Kockba Rebellion (extending further, but my interest stops about there). The narrative style is surprisingly winsome -- better than several I've used as textbooks in the past. The level of detail is spot on for a seminary-level course (or for those seeking a seminary-level/upper undergraduate-level introduction to the period).

Schaefer depends a lot on Josephus and 1, 2 Macc (though to his credit, not uncritically), which is a bit worrying but reflects the reality of the lack of historical sources. He draws on archaeological evidence when possible and appropriate, but the archaeology of the period is evidently also limited. He tries to make connection to Biblical, including prophetic, passages--which is interesting, though ultimately not particularly fruitful. The book delivers on what the back cover blurb promises (though not the cover, which doesn't specify that the book only covers the Jews in Palestine, not those in the diaspora).Three criticisms (which don't take away from the book's strengths)(1) the history of Jewish scripture during this period is not covered (he's no Biblical scholar, all right, but the history of scripture is surely part of history, is it not)?(2) the intriguing relationship between Jews and Samaritans is covered in the briefest possible manner; the apparent destruction of the Mt Gerizim temple in c.111 BCE does not even feature.(3) Schaefer uses terms such as "Jews" and "Israel" is an unqualified manner, and probably in an anachronistic manner, where the historicity and historical evolution of such terms is precisely in question.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, even though it was required reading for a college course.Schafer is the preeminent historian on this period of time. This book is easy-to-read, but probably oriented more towards the Jewish studies and Greco-Roman era historian.As a requirement for a class, my professor obviously knew what was good writing. I recommend highly.5 of 5 Amazon stars.

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