Prof. Erich Gruen: Smiling through Tears? Jewish Humor in Antiquity (Zoom Only)

This program will consider a number of texts composed by Jews dwelling under imperial rule in antiquity (the Persian, Greek, and Roman empires) in order to understand how the substantial humor in those texts reflects the experience and attitudes of a subordinate people. The texts to be discussed are the biblical books of Esther and Jonah, the stories of Judith and Susanna, and the Testament of Abraham. (PDF files of the latter three will be sent to participants).

4 sessions: Sundays, April 23, 30, May 7, 21 at 11am–12:15pm

• April 23:  Esther: Triumph or Travesty?
• April 30:  Judith and Susanna: Feminist Heroines?
• May 7:      Jonah: Prophecy or Parody?
• May 21:    The Testament of Abraham: The Patriarch as Artful Dodger