It's easy to think of ourselves as existing in a bubble, separate from the larger currents of history. But the truth is, we were always part of the conversation, even if sometimes that conversation was filtered through biased lenses. Josephus, in his work Against Apion, makes a powerful case that the ancient Greeks were quite familiar with Jewish culture and tradition.
Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, felt compelled to defend his people against misinformation and prejudice. He knew that many Greeks considered non-Greek cultures "barbarian" and unworthy of serious study. So, he set out to prove that prominent Greek thinkers were not only aware of Jewish customs but also, in some cases, deeply influenced by them.
One of the most intriguing figures Josephus brings up is Pythagoras of Samos. Now, we all know Pythagoras from geometry class, right? But did you know that Josephus claims Pythagoras was heavily influenced by Jewish thought? While there aren't any surviving writings definitively penned by Pythagoras himself (scholars generally believe the famous "Golden Verses" were written by his students), Hermippus, a historian known for his thoroughness, wrote about Pythagoras's life. Hermippus notes that Pythagoras believed in the immortality of the soul and certain dietary restrictions, attributing these beliefs to the influence of Jewish and Thracian doctrines. "This he did and said in imitation of the doctrines of the Jews and Thracians, which he transferred into his own philosophy," Hermippus wrote. According to Hermippus, Pythagoras incorporated many Jewish laws into his own philosophy. Now, isn't that something to think about?
Josephus also points to Theophrastus, who in his writings on law, mentions that the laws of Tyre forbade swearing foreign oaths. Among these oaths, he specifically names Corban – a term referring to something "devoted to God." Where else do we find this concept of Corban but among the Jews? This suggests that Theophrastus was familiar with Jewish practices.
Then there's Herodotus, the famous Greek historian. In his writings about the Colchians, Egyptians, and Ethiopians, Herodotus notes that the "Syrians that are in Palestine are circumcised." Well, who were the circumcised people living in Palestine? The Jews! So, even Herodotus, writing centuries ago, knew about this distinctive Jewish practice.
Josephus even brings in the poet Cherilus, who mentions that a nation, implied to be the Jews, came to the aid of King Xerxes in his expedition against Greece. Now, some scholars debate whether Cherilus was referring to Jews or another group called the Solymi. But Josephus and others, like Eusebius, believed Cherilus was indeed talking about the Jewish people.
What's the takeaway from all this? It's that the Jewish people weren't some isolated tribe unknown to the world. They were interacting with other cultures, influencing thinkers, and being written about by historians. It reminds us that our history is interwoven with the larger tapestry of human civilization. And that even in ancient times, the Jewish people were a part of a global story.