Jews and Entertainment in the Ancient World

By (author) Loren R. Spielman

Book cover: Jews and Entertainment in the Ancient World

Extent: 320 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Classical Studies, Jewish Studies

Series: Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(September 2020)

ISBN: 9783161550003

6.5 x 9.45 inches

Price: $231.00

In stock

In this book, Loren R. Spielman describes Jewish engagement with theater, athletics, horse racing, gladiatorial, and beast shows in antiquity. In his work he uses references to ancient Jewish actors and athletes, promoters and plays alongside analysis of rabbinic and other early Jewish critique of sport and spectacle.


Countering the traditional belief that Jews in antiquity were predominantly disinterested in the popular entertainments of the Greek and Roman world, Loren R. Spielman maps the varieties of Jewish engagement with theater, athletics, horse racing, gladiatorial, and beast shows in antiquity. The author argues that Jews from Hellenistic Alexandria to late antique Sepphoris enjoyed and exploited, or alternatively resisted and scorned, popular forms of public entertainment as they adapted to the political, social, and religious realities of imperial rule. Including references to ancient Jewish actors, athletes, promoters, and plays alongside analysis of rabbinic and other early Jewish critique of sport and spectacle, Loren R. Spielmandescribes the different ways that attitudes towards entertainment might have played a role in shaping ancient Jewish identity.

  • By (author) Loren R. Spielman