Physical Characteristics in Judaea

( On Special Laws  1.1.2-3 = RECW 11.5). Physical Characteristics

Philo of Alexandria: As evidenced by several Roman authors, the Jewish practice of circumcision was seen as different. Philo of Alexandria explains nothing of this ancient practice, other than that it, “Has been mocked by many,” ( On Special Laws  1.1.2-3 = RECW 11.5).

Tacitus: Tacitus’ account focuses primarily on the ability to identify Jews by circumcision: They instituted the circumcision of their genitalia so that they would be recognized by their difference ( Histories  5.5 = RECW 11.12). Martial: Martial’s account of the Jewish practice of circumcision is written as a mockery. The majority of his writing can be summed up by the sentence, “Swear, circumcised guy ( <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">verpe <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">), by Anchialus,” ( <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">Epigrams <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">, 11.94 = RECW 11.17). <span style="line-height:22px;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:bold;white-space:pre-wrap;">Plutarch: <span style="line-height:22px;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">Plutarch not only describes Jewish practices, but also gives a description of what was worn by the Jewish high-priest. “The high priest himself puts naysayers forcefully to shame when he leads the processions of Jewish festivals wearing a mitre and clad in a gold-threaded fawn-skin. His robe reaches to his feet and he wears high boots. Many bells hang upon his clothes, and they ring beneath his robe as he walks. This is the same as we do in our worship,” ( <span style="line-height:22px;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">Dinner Conversations 671f = RECW 11.19). <span style="line-height:22px;font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">He interestingly makes a connection between the Greek religious practices and the Jewish ones. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;"> <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">