Ethnic Tensions after the Roman Conquest of Alexandria

Josephus

Against Apion 2.60–61

Late 1st Century

Finally, when Alexandria had been captured by Caesar, she was reduced to such straits that she judged herself without hope for survival unless she could kill the Judeans with her own hands, having been conspicuous for her cruelty and disloyalty to everyone. If, as Apion claims, she did not distribute grain rations to the Judeans during a period of famine, would you not consider it something to be proud of? We Jews, however, appeal to the great Caesar as witness to the loyalty and support that we rendered to him against the Egyptians, as also to the Senate and its decrees, and the epistles of Augustus Caesar, wherein our services are confirmed.

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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Creator Bio

Josephus

37–100

Flavius Josephus was born into a prominent Jewish priestly family and served as a general stationed in the Galilee during the First Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE). He was captured by the Romans and eventually integrated into the Flavian imperial aristocracy, who commissioned him to compose chronicles of the Jewish–Roman war and the history of the Jews. Josephus’ works, all written in Greek, include The Jewish War, Jewish Antiquities, Against Apion, and his autobiography, Life of Josephus. These writings provide important insights into the Judaisms of the Second Temple period and include one of the few surviving accounts of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

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