-3

Philo was a prominent Roman writer and philosopher during the first century AD, it seems that in one of his books 'Against Flaccus' Philo mentions the multiple persecutions and punishments Jews of that time were facing, but it seems that the crucifixion wasn't mentioned?

I have some ideas why this would be, but I am not sure. Is it possibly because crucifixion was so commonplace that there was no need to mention it or was it the fact that Alexandria just didn't use this method of punishment? I think it is the latter because there is no historical evidences of crucifixion in Alexandria but I maybe wrong.

Because it is historically accepted citation needed that this was one of the most commonly used form of punishment in the Roman Empire starting from the BC period, there is historical evidencecitation needed in mainland Rome and it is accepted that they had brought this form of punishment everywhere they went.

Again, I have a question because I have read somewhere citation needed that Philo would go back to Jerusalem from time to time and it is historically established that crucifixion was taking place under Pontius Pilate and his successor during Philo's life time.

Improve this question
7
  • 2
    Is there some reason you think that crucifixion was used specifically to persecute Jews?
    – cmw
    Commented May 23 at 11:55
  • @cmw No, I think everyone regardless of origin was being persecuted but Philo is Jew and he was specifically focused on Jewish affairs.
    – How why e
    Commented May 23 at 12:07
  • 1
    Because it is historically accepted that this was one of the most commonly used form of punishment in the Roman Empire starting from the BC period, there is historical evidence in mainland Rome and it is accepted that they had brought this form of punishment everywhere they went.
    – How why e
    Commented May 23 at 12:40
  • 1
    Documenting preliminary research will improve both the probability of an answer and the quality of the answer(s)
    – MCW ♦
    Commented May 23 at 13:01
  • 1
    You also might want to note the difference between punishment and persecution. Philo isn't talking about law courts. It can be helpful to read Philo directly on the topic, which should clarify what's going on persecution-wise. Here's a link to Philo's text. Start at IX to get a sense of how Flaccus went about the persecutions.
    – cmw
    Commented May 23 at 13:29

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
11

The vast majority of Philo's writings were concerned with Philosophical and Religious matters (which many people at the time did not consider as completely separate things). However he had one writing I found that dealt with contemporaneous history/politics.

Against Flaccus was intended as a catalog of the cruelty and incompetence of the Roman governor of Egypt. Contrary to the "I have heard" claim in the question, it explicitly mentions crucifixions.

I have known instances before now of men who had been crucified when this festival and holiday was at hand, being taken down and given up to their relations, in order to receive the honours of sepulture, and to enjoy such observances as are due to the dead; for it used to be considered, that even the dead ought to derive some enjoyment from the natal festival of a good emperor, and also that the sacred character of the festival ought to be regarded.

But this man did not order men who had already perished on crosses to be taken down, but he commanded living men to be crucified, men to whom the very time itself gave, if not entire forgiveness, still, at all events, a brief and temporary respite from punishment; and he did this after they had been beaten by scourgings in the middle of the theatre; and after he had tortured them with fire and sword;

and the spectacle of their sufferings was divided; for the first part of the exhibition lasted from the morning to the third or fourth hour, in which the Jews were scourged, were hung up, were tortured on the wheel, were condemned, and were dragged to execution through the middle of the orchestra; and after this beautiful exhibition came the dancers, and the buffoons, and the flute-players, and all the other diversions of the theatrical contests.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.