CASA Essay - Domitian's attitude to the Jews and Judaism

  • Ursula Westwood University of Cape Town

Abstract

The emperor Domitian has the reputation of being the ‘decided enemy of theJews’.1 The information from which this conclusion can be drawn is found in apassage in Suetonius and one in Dio. As well as this, Roman writings of the time,such as those of Martial and Quintilian, support a view of Domitian as anti-Semitic. By examining the main literary accounts of his treatments of the Jews aswell as contemporary writings, it will be possible to establish to what extentSuetonius and Dio give an accurate portrayal of his attitude towards the Jews.
Published
2014-01-20
Section
Varia Didactica