Essenes: The Elect of Israel and the Priests of Artemis [Hardcover]

Allen H. Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 1985

The unearthing of the celebrated Dead Sea Scrolls was one of the most important discoveries of its kind in history, and public interest in both the Scrolls and the sect which produced them has not seemed to diminish. There is almost universal agreement that the group responsible was a sect of the Jews known as "Essenes" by other Jews and Gentiles, if not by themselves. This most devout of the Jewish sects thought of, and referred to, themselves as the "Elect" of their God. At the same time in history, the goddess Artemis was still being worshipped in the East Mediterranean area, and her temple, later to become considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was located at Ephesus on the coast of Asia Minor. Indeed, Artemis-worship was so firmly established that it was a strong rival of both Judaism and early Christianity. One set of priests ministering to the goddess at Ephesus was also known by the term "Essenes." The question immediately becomes apparent as to what relationship, if any, existed between the Jewish Essenes and the Artemisian Essenes. Scholars seem to have remained skeptical of any connection, at least up to this point. It might seem to some that discussion of the early Greeks (or Mycenaeans or Hellenes, whichever name you prefer) and their gods, along with the early Minoan culture, might be far afield from a consideration of a relatively obscure Jewish sect, the Essenes, which came into existence at a much later date, at least by that name. Yet it seems from this vantage point that relationships between the peoples involved remain obscure and cloudy, except to some scholars, unless some aspects of historical perspective are developed. It is perhaps ironic that such relatively small groups as the two sets of Essenes should require such a broad perspective. [From the Preface]

Product Details

• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: University Press of America (November 30, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819147443
• ISBN-13: 978-0819147448
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,895,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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