11 13 12 30 BCE Life in the Diaspora Alexandria Egypt during Roman Rule Year of Roman Conquest of Syria and Egypt Annexes area fully integrates into Roman Empire o Blow to Egyptian pride civilization that goes back thousands of years ruined in a moment Viewed new regime with particular resentment bc Rome foreign dictated demeaning terms Ptolemaic Army disbanded and replaced by Roman troops Ptolemaic Palace kicked out and replaced by careless Roman court Alexandria cultural and financial capital overshadowed by Roman city Egyptian leaders stir up resentment and anti Roman sentiments among population and public on brink of revolution Jews in Alexandria previously concerned with their relationship with power like to think that they have mutual likeable relationship between themselves and the authorities o When Romans first came to Egypt Jews were supportive bc they want good relationship with authority seen as lifeline to their success WORKS Augustus first emperor erects monument in thanks of Jews support confirms their rights and privileges out of gratitude Jews exercise some sort of previously allowed autonomy now reinforced Administrative responsibilities Quasi government authority ethnarch ethn population arch leader Greeks in Alexandria Represents grant of permission to be self governing o Forbidden to form own governments or council o Resent Jews bc of their privileges Romans make distinction between Native Egyptians and those of Greek Descent Romans elite privileged o Tachlis ramifications makes difference when it comes to Education only GD R were entitled to enroll in gymnasium Finances GD R paid minimum taxes NE paid a lot more o Jews perceived as NE or GD privileged but not officially recognized status of Greeks Jews tried to infiltrate ranks of Greek citizens to avoid paying taxes PROOF of Early Roman Administration tax collections etc 20 BCE Uncultured uneducated people classes make illegitimate claims to avoid paying taxes tax evasion VS 19 CE 32 33 CE 38 CE 5 BCE Helenos son of Tryphon Alexandrian Jew pleads to be exempt from taxes as Greek citizen o Comes from good family o Received Greek style education o Certain age should not be burdened with high taxes Scribe trained in writing documents to be sent to gov who wrote this letter crosses out the term Helenos the Alexandrian and replaces it with the words Helenos a Jew from Alexandria Jews denied these rights feel they are being unfairly deprived Greeks feel that Jews who do succeed in gaining these privileges are sneaking their way in Germanicus Roman general visits Alexandria o Offers gift of grain showing generosity of Romans to Alexandrians bribe o Stiffs Jews gifts not extended to Jews sign of Rome s shifting attitude bc eventually it was not worth it to the Romans to keep the Jews pacified Flaccus Roman official appointed governor of Egypt o Initially at least indirectly maintains support for Jewish population by quelling local Greek patriotism that threatens Jews o Supports losing candidate for new emperor Gaius Caligula new emperor hothead o Flaccus worried about enemies he has just made and stops suppressing local patriotism and stops defending Jews threatened by local mobs Agrippa Herod s son returns from Rome having just been recognized as Jewish King of Northern Galilee and stops through Alexandria o Jews are pumped to see him and throw him a parade o Riot breaks out Jews unpopular foreigners claiming unfair rights throwing parade Homes pillaged Jews evicted murdered Jews forced to eat pork Statues of Emperor erected in synagogues Flaccus back at the ranch issues decree stripping Jews of most political rights o Declared foreigners and aliens o Blames Jews for instigating riot o Tortures elders of Jewish community o Condemns Jews to death as part of celebration of emperor s birthday Flaccus arrested one month later o Accused by unforgiving Greek leaders of the city WHAT HAPPENS TO THE JEWS 38 39 CE Delegations of Greeks v Jews sent to Rome to find out what will happen o Jewish delegation representative Philo philosopher Biblical commentator Jew of Alexandria Emperor Caligula obsessed with his own empire disinterested in Jews keeps delegations waiting for months o Decides to put statue of himself in Temple in Jerusalem never happens though o Finally meets with delegations but dismisses them without reconciling 41 CE Caligula assassinated Claudius new emperor o Jews see transition as moment to get rid of statues of Caligula but more importantly Jews plan organized retaliation against Alexandrian enemies o Attack provides Jews enemies with propaganda that Jews are bad news for Romans that they are troublemakers inciting violence o New matter comes before new emperor Delegations sent again Jews v Greeks o Jews send 2 different groups indicating that Jews are somewhat divided over course of action Old Delegation Philo older statesman diplomatic interested in reaching peaceful agreement with Romans main goal is to secure citizenship status for those in their demographic New Delegation younger statesman more willing to take violent action o Claudius Decision No full citizenship to Jews Initially seems sympathetic toward Jews war against Jews But mad at Jews for renewing conflict by taking revenge immutable indignation Greeks must be gentle and kind to Jews who have lived in Alexandria for just as long But cannot gain access to gymnasium etc city which is NOT their own RESPONSE Apion Egyptian Greek leader of Greek delegation o Attacked in treatise by Josephus o Apion wrote 5 volume history on Egypt with strong anti Jewish polemics Describes Exodus as scandalous affair of diseased sick lepers kicked out of Egypt led by Moses nothing glorious or Divinely led Explains Sabbath as day named for groin disease used as 7th day of the week during which these sick Jews needed to rest after walking for 6 days Talks about peculiarities of Jewish religion and worship Mocks traditions circumcision etc Invents other traditions killing Greek boys for their blood