ORIGINS OF ANTISEMITISM JDST 340
Please answer both questions:
1. Discuss the possible causes of “Judeophobia” in the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman world. What were the main accusations against Jews? Please give specific examples.
2. What were the basic policies of Church and State (secular rulers) toward the Jews in Western Europe during the Middle Ages. Why this this balance deteriorate and result in the expulsion of the Jews from England , France, and especially from Spain?
Be specific and document your major conclusions. You may use any book or article from the class or outside.
Books:
David Berger, editor, History and Hate: The Dimensions of Antisemitism. (JPS, 1986)
Robert Chazan, Church, State and Jew in the Middle Ages (Behrman House, 1980)
Jacob Katz, From Prejudice To Destruction, Antisemitism 1700-1933
Peter Schafer, Judeophobia (Harvard, 1997)
Some reading we did in class:
-Judeophobia in the ancient world (I):
Schafer, Judeophobia, pages 15-118
Daniels article (Blackboard)
Davidov article on Rome (Blackboard)
– Judeophobia in the ancient world (II): The Elephantine and Alexandria incidents.
Schafer, pages 121-136, 163- 210 , Feldman article in Berger, History and Hate…pages 15-42,
– Jews and Christians
Fredericksen article St. Augustine on Jesus the Jew Blackboard
– Anti-Judaism in the Middle Ages. Introduction:
Chazan in Berger, pages 49-65
Jeremy Cohen in Berger, pages 67-71
Recommended: Laqueur, The Changing Face…,pages 45-70.
– Anti-Judaism in the early Middle Ages.
Chazan, Church…pages 15- 165
– Anti-Judaism in the high Middle Ages.
Chazan, Church…pages 167-319
