Building Jewish In The Roman East (Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism) [Hardcover]

Peter Richardson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9004141316 | ISBN-13: 978-9004141315 | Publication Date: November 30, 2004

Archaeology has unearthed the glories of ancient Jewish buildings throughout the Mediterranean. But what has remained shrouded is what these buildings meant. Building Jewish first surveys the architecture of small rural villages in the Galilee in the early Roman period before examining the development of synagogues as "Jewish associations." Finally, Building Jewish explores Jerusalem's flurry of building activity under Herod the Great in the first century BCE. Richardson's careful work not only documents the culture that forms the background to any study of Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity, but he also succeeds in demonstrating how architecture itself, like a text, conveys meaning and thus directly illuminates daily life and religious thought and practice in the ancient world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Richardson accomplishes a remarkable task by creating a synthesis of form and function in this study of religious architecture within the context of Second Temple Judaism and early Christian literature. He has effectively woven archaeological data into his very detailed interpretation of the development of religious practice during a time of social crisis under Roman rule.' Victor H. Matthews, Professor of Religious Studies, Southwest Missouri State University. 'Richardson draws on his expertise in architecture and religion to reconstruct the social setting of early Judaism and nascent Christianity. The book is clearly and authoritatively written and is richly illustrated, making it ideal for classroom use as well as a basic scholarly resource.' Jodi Magness, Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 'Provocative and well written, Richardson's collection of studies bridges the gap between archaeology and text. A must read for anyone interested in the matrix from which Christianity arose.' Jonathan L. Reed, Professor of Religion, University of La Verne. 'Richardson's continued interest in Herod, the Second Temple, the development of synagogues in the Diaspora as associations, early Jewish innovative monasticism, tombs, and the James ossuary result in a holistic understanding that revises and sensitively restates the relation between early Judaisms and Christianities as they developed in both Cana and Corinth.' David Blach, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University."

About the Author

Peter Richardson, Ph.D. (Cambridge University), Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, is the author or editor of eleven books on Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity, including, most recently, City and Sanctuary: Religion and Architecture in the Roman Near East (2002) and Herod the Great: King of Jews and Friend of Romans (1999). An experienced archaeologist, Richardson is also Honorary Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 414 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004141316
• ISBN-13: 978-9004141315
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,448,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A study of ancient Jewish archaeology in the Mediterranean, March 6, 2005

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Jewish In The Roman East (Paperback)

Building Jewish In The Roman East is a scholarly study of ancient Jewish archaeology in the Mediterranean, particularly in small rural villages in Galileein the early Roman period, the development of synagogues as "Jewish associations", and the rush of construction under Herod the Great in the first century BCE. Extensively researched chapters scrutinize tombs, the historical significancd of Biblical events such as Jesus' protest in the Temple Precincts, architectural transitions from synagogues and house churches to purpose-built churches, and much more. An inset selection of color plates rounds out this fascinating, unique, and in-depth examination of historic Jewish architectural designs and motives.