Review
Schwartz has presented nothing less than a learned and bold bombshell with this important, groundbreaking book. His thesis is that to make sense of the remains of ancient Judaism, one must consider the effects of shifting types of imperial domination and that there is a direct connection between the rise of the synagogue and the religious ideology that justified its construction and the rise of Christianity. This is the most original and the most provocative book on this period that has appeared in many years. It will, and deservedly, be the subject of debate for a long time to come. -- Louis H. Feldman The Forward Important... Schwartz challenges many long-held ideas about Jews in antiquity... This work is recommended as fascinating reading for anyone interested in the history of the Jews and Judaism. -- James E. Seaver History: Reviews of New Books Schwartz is a leading expert on the Jews in the Roman Empire. Using scholarly publications, he has produced a new synthesis that will provoke much debate among scholars... [His] carefully argued positions must be taken seriously. Choice A bold feat of reinterpretation that is certain to stir up controversy in scholarly circles. -- Stuart Schoffman Jerusalem Report This is a brilliant and provocative book, which will undoubtedly stimulate much debate among historians of Judaism and of the ancient world. But it deserves, as well, a wide audience among all those interested in the impact of imperial power on regional cultures. -- J. B. Rives International History Review Schwartz's study is wide-ranging, rich, well-informed, polemical, creative, unconventional. -- Jonathan J. Price Religious Studies Review An invaluable piece of current scholarship on ancient Judaism... This book represents a fresh and unique look at a familiar subject, and it should be required reading for any serious scholar of ancient Judaism, early Christianity, or ancient Mediterranean religions. -- Daniel Bernard Journal of Religion and Culture
Review
Schwartz has presented nothing less than a learned and bold bombshell with this important, groundbreaking book. His thesis is that to make sense of the remains of ancient Judaism, one must consider the effects of shifting types of imperial domination and that there is a direct connection between the rise of the synagogue and the religious ideology that justified its construction and the rise of Christianity. This is the most original and the most provocative book on this period that has appeared in many years. It will, and deservedly, be the subject of debate for a long time to come.
(
Louis H. Feldman The Forward )
Important. . . . Schwartz challenges many long-held ideas about Jews in antiquity. . . . This work is recommended as fascinating reading for anyone interested in the history of the Jews and Judaism.
(
James E. Seaver History: Reviews of New Books )
Schwartz is a leading expert on the Jews in the Roman Empire. Using scholarly publications, he has produced a new synthesis that will provoke much debate among scholars. . . . [His] carefully argued positions must be taken seriously.
(
Choice )
A bold feat of reinterpretation that is certain to stir up controversy in scholarly circles.
(
Stuart Schoffman Jerusalem Report )
This is a brilliant and provocative book, which will undoubtedly stimulate much debate among historians of Judaism and of the ancient world. But it deserves, as well, a wide audience among all those interested in the impact of imperial power on regional cultures.
(
J. B. Rives International History Review )
Schwartz's study is wide-ranging, rich, well-informed, polemical, creative, unconventional.
(
Jonathan J. Price Religious Studies Review )
An invaluable piece of current scholarship on ancient Judaism. . . . This book represents a fresh and unique look at a familiar subject, and it should be required reading for any serious scholar of ancient Judaism, early Christianity, or ancient Mediterranean religions.
(
Daniel Bernard Journal of Religion and Culture )
