Essays on Ancient and Modern Judaism

Throughout his career, Arnaldo Momigliano wrote essays on a variety of Jewish themes and individuals. This volume collects 26 of these essays, most of which appear in English for the first time. The writings in this collection demonstrate how the ethical experience of the Hebraic tradition informed his other works. Part 1 is devoted entirely to writings on ancient and medieval Judaism. In these essays, Momigliano discusses such subjects as the stages of rapport between Hellenism and Judaism, the figure of Flavius Josephus, and the salient moments of Maccabean history. Part 2 comprises Momigliano's writings on modern subjects. Profiles of Jewish scholars of the classical world (Bernays, Bickerman, and Finley) together with those of eminent representatives of contemporary Jewish thought are presented which include Strauss, Scholem, and Benjamin. Silvia Berti's introduction discusses Momigliano's religious and intellectual formation, the key events of his life, and the influence of Judaism on his mature scholarship. In his preface, Momigliano offers a personal meditation on his own Judaism and that of his family.