Chapter Six. Studies In The Ancient Jewish Mediterranean Diaspora

Abstract

This chapter reviews John M. G. Barclay's Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora: From Alexander to Trajan. This volume, originally published in hardcover in 1996, is the first comprehensive survey of the Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora from Alexander to Trajan and is distinguished by the fact that it combines a study of the political, social, and cultural history of Jewish communities in five geographical areas - Egypt, Cyrenaica, Syria, Asia Minor, and Rome - where we have sufficient information to warrant more detailed analysis. What is particularly novel is an attempt to examine the various levels of assimilation of the Jews in these areas. Barclay is especially to be commended for examining afresh in the original the whole range of Diaspora Jewish literature. Barclay asserts that the five areas that he has chosen will prove to be sufficiently diverse and will indicate how variable were the experiences and responses of Diaspora Jews.Keywords: Alexander; cultural history; Jewish literature; Jews; Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora: From Alexander to Trajan; John M. G. Barclay; Mediterranean Diaspora; studies; Trajan