Where’s Rome?: A Possible Roman Parallel to the Translation of the Septuagint in the Letter of Aristeas

Updated by: 
Shiran Shevah
Research notes: 
SHS/not checked/13/04/2018
Reference type: 
Book section
Author(s): 
Adams, Sean A.
year: 
2018
Full title: 

Where’s Rome?: A Possible Roman Parallel to the Translation of the Septuagint in the Letter of Aristeas

Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Figures who Shape Scriptures, Scriptures that Shape Figures: Essays in Honour of Benjamin G. Wright III
Issue / Series Volume: 
40
Series Title: 
Deuterocanonical and Cognate Literature Studies
Editor(s): 
Géza G. Xeravits
Greg Schmidt Goering
Place of Publication: 
b4
Publisher: 
De Gruyter
Pages: 
197-210
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

This chapter asks why there is so little discussion of Roman background or influence in scholarly discussion of Letter of Aristeas. Following a brief history of Roman influence in Egypt during the second century BCE, I explore the story of the translation of Mago of Carthage’s On Farming that was commissioned by the Roman s enate in 146 BCE and identify parallels to P s.- Aristeas’ depiction of the translation of Jewish Scripture. The contribution concludes with an invitation to scholars to look beyond the Greek/Alexandrian locale and to recognise possible Roman influences on Aristeas.

Primary Texts: Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha: 
Composition / Author: 
Letter of Aristeas
URL: 
https://www.degruyter.com/view/books/9783110596373/9783110596373-013/9783110596373-013.xml
Label: 
23/04/2018
Record number: 
103 563