Theorizing Laughter and Ethnicity in Philo’s Embassy to Gaius

Abstract

Abstract Philo’s Embassy to Gaius (Legat.) narrates anti-Jewish violence in Alexandria (38–41 CE) and the experiences of a Jewish embassy sent to the Roman emperor Gaius to advocate for the rights of Jews in the city. Philo repeatedly brings up laughter during key episodes, using it to characterize his figures and situations, particularly along ethnic lines. Philo suggests that Egyptians have an inherent proclivity toward derision of Jews, whereas Romans only join in this unjust mockery when they inappropriately allow Egyptians to hold influence over them. In doing so, he establishes a narrative that places the blame of the crisis in Alexandria from 38–41 CE firmly on Egyptians and Egyptianness. In this article, I take Philo as a theorist of laughter, following Eva Mroczek’s arguments for “native theory” and Mary Beard’s work on ancient laughter. Taking up Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s interrogation of theories as constructed tools with specific effects, I ask what Philo’s theory of laughter does for him. Ultimately, I argue that Philo’s theorization of laughter supports a specific ethnic reasoning, in Denise Kimber Buell’s language, that condemns Egyptianness while exonerating Romanness, perhaps in an attempt to endear his own Jewish community to the Romans who controlled Alexandria.