Jews in the Hellenistic and Roman Cities

Written by a distinguished team of international experts, this collection of essays provides a stimulating study of the Jewish presence in the classical world. Beginning with the Hellenistic city of Jerusalem itself, Jews in the Hellenistic and Roman cities goes on to study the Jewish communities and synagogues that emerged from the Mediterranean Diaspora, as reflected in the writings of Luke, Josephus and Philo. The chapters cover fundamental questions of social identity, everyday life and religious chapters cover fundamental questions of the size of the Jewish population in the ancient world, a topic which has given rise to much exaggerated speculation in the past. This volume will be of interest to students of Roman history, biblical studies, ancient Judaism and Hellenistic history.