Leiden University Student Repository

Klerk, Gabriël de 2021

Diaspora in Dialogue: Jewish Civic Life in the Roman Province of Asia between the 1st century B.C. and the 3d century A.D.

Master thesis | Religious Studies (MA)

open access

This thesis seeks to address how Jewish communities were able to integrate into the civic framework that was provided by the Greek cities during Roman rule. It does so through a case-study of...Show moreThis thesis seeks to address how Jewish communities were able to integrate into the civic framework that was provided by the Greek cities during Roman rule. It does so through a case-study of literary and epigraphic evidence originating from the communities of Ephesos, Hierapolis, and Sardis, who all are located in the province of Asia. In conclusion, the Jews of Asia were able to negotiate with Roman authorities and participated to a certain extent within the Greek urban settlements while simultaneously accentuating their Jewish cultural heritage. More generally, these findings are consistent with what has been published on Jewish diaspora communities but differentiate by showing that the Jewish community did not live on the margins of society, but rather was well integrated within the civic framework of the Greek city.Show less