Jews and entertainment in the ancient world / Loren R. Spielman.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Countering the traditional belief that Jews in antiquity were predominantly disinterested in the popular entertainments of the Greek and Roman world, Loren R. Spielmanmaps the varieties of Jewish engagement with theater, athletics, horse racing, gladiatorial, and beast shows in antiquity. The author argues that Jews from Hellenistic Alexandria to late antique Sepphoris enjoyed and exploited, or alternatively resisted and scorned, popular forms of public entertainment as they adapted to the political, social, and religious realities of imperial rule. Including references to ancient Jewish actors, athletes, promoters, and plays alongside analysis of rabbinic and other early Jewish critique of sport and spectacle, Loren R. Spielmandescribes the different ways that attitudes towards entertainment might have played a role in shaping ancient Jewish identity.

Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on October 23, 2020).

Section One: The Herodian Period -- Chapter One: Departing from Native Customs: Josephan Rhetoric on Herodian Games -- Chapter Two: The Background of the Jerusalem Games: Were Greek and Roman Spectacles Really Foreign to Jewish Custom? -- Chapter Three: Playing Roman in Jerusalem: Symbols of Power and the Past -- Section Two: Theaters, Amphitheaters and Stadia in Roman Palestine -- Chapter Four: In the Wake of the Wars: Becoming Spectators in Roman Palestine -- Chapter Five: Spectacle and Identity in Roman Palestine and the Jewish Diaspora -- Section Three: Rabbis and Roman Spectacle -- Chapter Six: Sitting with Scorners: Early Rabbinic Attitudes to Roman Spectacle -- Chapter Seven: Still Sitting with Scorners: Later Rabbinic Attitudes Towards Roman Spectacle -- Chapter Eight: Performance and Piety: Theaters and Synagogues in Later Rabbinic Culture -- Conclusion.

WorldCat record variable field(s) change: 050