Prof. Yaron Eliav: A Jew in the Roman Bathhouse (Zoom only)

The Roman public bathhouse was an extremely popular, architecturally impressive place that featured many questionable aspects for Jews, to say the least (nudity, magic and idolatry, to name a few). Eliav will discuss his research that sheds new light on how ordinary Jews and rabbis in Antiquity interacted with this institution. Charting these attitudes and responses will allow for a better understanding of Judaism at this formative stage.

The presentation will be followed by a conversation between Prof. Eliav and Prof. Erich Gruen.