Letter from Antiochus III to Ptolemy Mentioning the Gerousia
Since the Jews, upon our first entrance into their country, demonstrated their friendship toward us, and when we came to their city [Jerusalem], received us in a splendid manner, and came to meet us with their Senate [gerousia], and gave abundant provisions to our soldiers and to the elephants, and joined with us in expelling the garrison of the Egyptians that were in the citadel, we have thought fit to reward them.
Translated by William Whiston, adapted by Aaron Samuels.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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Communal Organization and Leadership: The Gerousia
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Moses Establishes the Gerousia
Jewish Antiquities 4.216–218
For it is not fit that causes should be openly determined out of regard to gain or to the status of the suitors, but rather, the judges should esteem what is right before all other things. For…
Mention of the Gerousia in Official Letters
1 Maccabees 12:5–6|2 Maccabees 1:10
This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans: “The high priest Jonathan, the senate [gerousia] of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people to…
The Gerousia Sends Representatives to Antiochus IV Epiphanes
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Translation from the New Revised Standard Version.…
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To the nation the king’s letter was as follows:
“King Antiochus to the senate [gerousia] of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.”
Letter from Jonathan on Behalf of the Gerousia to the Lacedaemonians (Spartans)
Jewish Antiquities 13.165–169
The [Roman] Gerousia then confirmed what had been formerly decreed concerning their friendship with the Jews and gave them letters to convey to all the kings of Asia and Europe, and to the governors…
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