The Social Situation of the Alexandrian Diasporain the Light of the Third Book of Maccabees

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/sts.3010

Keywords:

alexandrian diaspora, Third Book of Maccabees, Ptolemaic dynasty

Abstract

This article presents the significance of the apocryphal Third Book of Maccabees for the reconstruction of the social situation of the Diaspora in Alexandria during the Ptolemaic dynasty. The central part of the work in question is the description of the miracle at the Hippodrome, the miraculous rescue of the Jews from the death planned for them by Ptolemy IV. Although some scholars deny the historicity of this event, it explains the origin of the holiday commemorating divine intervention. There are many indications that the purpose and message of the work is to show the Diaspora as loyal to the ruler and striving for harmonious coexistence with the Greek population of the city, respecting cultural and religious differences. While not hiding their religious differences, the Jewish Alexandrians in this work present themselves as full citizens of the Hellenistic world and its culture.

References

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Philo Alexandrinus, Legatio ad Caium, ed. A. Pelletier, Paris 1972.

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Opracowania:

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Published

2024-02-07

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Nauki biblijne