Homer between Celsus, Origen and the Jews of Late Antique Palaestina 1

Abstract

Given Homer’s canonical status in Greek culture, it is not surprising that he is discussed in Origen’s Contra Celsum as part of a broader negotiation between Christianity and “Paganism” about the Classical heritage. Rather than systematically responding to Celsus’ interpretations of specific Homeric passages and invalidating their theoretical assumptions in view of “Pagan” positions, Origen turns to other matters which seem more important, but then introduces the Greek poet in new contexts not prompted by his declared adversary. This chapter analyzes three perspectives on Homer, namely, the one presented by Celsus in the True Logos from the mid-second century CE, Origen’s response as a Christian theologian addressing a third-century audience in Caesarea, and, finally, the discussion of Homer in a passage from the Jerusalem Talmud, which was probably redacted in the late fifth century CE.