What kind of Truth did Josephus Promise? His truth in ancient historiographical perspective

Horaire: 15h30

Conférencier: Steve Mason, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 

Flavius Josephus (37–ca. 100 CE), our indispensable source for Judaea under Roman rule and the background to Christian origins, speaks often of his commitment to ‘truth' (ἀλήθεια). But what does he mean by this? After considering basic questions of definition, etymology, and translation, we take a representative (not exhaustive) inventory of Josephus’ uses of the term in context, to see what this truth either accompanies or opposes. Then we look at what he could not have meant by ἀλήθεια, given his obvious practice as a writer of history. A few soundings in Greek and Roman historiography, to help us understand what his audiences might have expected in hearing his truth language, allows us to test his claims against such norms of the time.

Gratuit et ouvert à toutes et à tous!