Judaeophobia? Identity conflicts of Judaism in antiquity

The impressive mosaic of the synagogue of Chammat Tiberias symbolizes the connection between the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds in antiquity by means of the Greek founder's inscription, the motif of a zodiac and two menorot surrounding a Torah shrine(Aron) . More recent research has recently focused on these cultural interfaces. Cohabitation and inculturation of Judaism with its pagan environment have subsequently been understood without simultaneous antagonisms. As a result, this pioneering research runs the risk of blurring the boundaries between the two extremely different socio-religious systems of Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. For a long time, Jewish authors such as Flavius Iosephus or Philo in particular were only read against the backdrop of their embedding in Greco-Roman thought horizons and traditions; their own Jewish perspective or identity effectively dissolved behind these interpretations. However, Judaism in its monotheistic-theocratic form was decidedly different from its pagan environment and therefore also had a considerable influence on the social life of its protagonists.

This colloquium, which is being held in cooperation with the Università Roma Tre, will therefore examine the various reactions that ancient Judaism had to constant misunderstandings and conflicts with the Greco-Roman world. This downward spiral could ultimately have caused Jewish 'nationalism' and, in turn, Judaeophobia in the Greco-Roman world.

The conference will not only focus on relevant text passages, but also on the religious imagery of Judaism with regard to its role in profiling a specific Jewish identity.

Interested parties are very welcome!