The Return of Ancient Epic: Jewish Appropriation of Greek Mythology

Jews of the Hellenistic period in classical antiquity regularly denounced, ridiculed, and defied Greek myths. At Clio's fourth session on Ancient Epics, Erich Gruen will begin by pointing out that in actual fact Jewish texts from the Hellenistic period frequently cited and utilized such fanciful tales without questioning their authority or legitimacy.

How does one account for this apparent paradox? And what does it tell us about Jewish reception of Hellenic literature and lore?

Erich Gruen is Professor of History and Classics , Emeritus, at the University of California, Berkeley.  His books include Heritage and Hellenism: The Reinvention of Jewish Tradition, Rethinking the Other in Antiquity, and Scriptural Tales Retold.

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