The Use of Rhetorical Techniques in The Herodian Narratives of Flavius Josephus
| Tamar Landau Abstract:The account of the reign of king Herod the Great is related in Josephus twice - BJ 1.204-673 and AJ 14-17.199. Although probably delivered from the same source (Nicolaus ofDamascus), these two accounts differ considerably in form and content. Assuming that Josephus the historian was operating within the broader Greco-Roman cultural and professional lines, but was nonetheless influenced by his Jewish heritage - the dissertation focuses on a historiographical analysis of the two narratives, in light of both Greco-Roman and Jewish historiography. Although a stronger influence of the Greco-Roman tradition is evident in the passages examined, some Jewish and some essentially-Josephan features can be detected in the text as well. The multi-cultural elements are thus combined into a unique and rich form of historical narrative. In my dissertation, I hope to demonstrate how, in terms of historical rhetoric, this is achieved. |