Jewish Perspectives on Hellenistic Rulers

Hellenistic monarchy is usually studied through Greek and Macedonian political traditions, but Jewish texts preserve a rich and distinctive body of evidence for how royal power was understood under successive empires. Edited by Tessa Rajak, Sarah Pearce, James Aitken and Jennifer Dines, this volume brings together sixteen essays examining kings, queens and other figures of authority through biblical and Jewish perspectives.

The contributors range across Hellenistic dynasties as well as representations of Israelite, Babylonian and Persian rulers, Parthians and Romans, with particular attention to the Greek Bible and Jewish literature of the Hellenistic period. By setting these texts within contemporary political thought and practice, the collection broadens the evidence available for studying monarchy, cultural interaction and responses to imperial rule. A specialist academic volume for readers working on Hellenistic history, ancient Judaism and the eastern Mediterranean.