Written by Abraham ibn Daud of Toledo (c. 1110-1180), 'Dorot ‘Olam' ('Generations of the Ages') is one of the most influential and innovative historical works of medieval Hebrew literature. In four sections, three of which are edited and translated in this volume for the first time, 'Dorot ‘Olam' asserts the superiority of rabbinic Judaism and stresses the central role of Iberia for the Jewish past, present, and future. Combining Jewish and Christian sources in new ways, Ibn Daud presents a compelling vision of the past and formulates political ideas that stress the importance of consensus-driven leadership under rabbinic guidance. This edition demonstrates how 'Dorot ‘Olam' was received by Jewish and Christian readers who embraced the book in Hebrew, Latin, and two English and German translations.
Author(s): Katja Vehlow
Series: The Medieval and Early Modern Iberian World, 50
Publisher: Brill
Year: 2013
Language: English, Hebrew
Pages: 420
City: Leiden
Contents
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Jews in Andalusia: Oppressed or Living in a 'Golden Age'?
2. Just How Iberian Were Iberian Jews?
3. Was There a Medieval Jewish Historiography?
PART ONE. INTRODUCTION
Chapter One. Ibn Daud and His Writings
1. Historical-Cultural Setting
2. The Author
3. Ibn Daud's Writings
4. 'Dorot 'Olam'
Chapter Two. Sources
1. Complications: Shared Use of Texts, Symbols, and Methodologies
2. Jewish Sources
3. Christian Sources
4. Islamic Sources
Chapter Three. The Argument of 'Dorot 'Olam'
1. Modern Readings
2. Messianic or Not? Errors, Blunders, and Contradictions in 'Dorot 'Olam'
3. Principles of Political Leadership
4. Rome and Its Connections to Iberia
5. The Early Church in 'Dorot 'Olam'
6. The Hispanization of Jewish History
Chapter Four. The Early Modern Fascination with 'Dorot 'Olam'
1. Divrey Malkhey Yisra'el
2. Zikhron Divrey Romi
3. The Midrash on Zechariah
Chapter Five. Preface to the Critical Edition
1. The Manuscripts of the Hebrew Text
2. Printed Hebrew Editions
3. Bilingual Editions and Translations
4. The Hebrew Text of This Edition
5. The English Translation and Commentary
Sigla
PART TWO. 'DOROT 'OLAM'
The Chronicle of Rome from the Day of Its Foundation to the Rise of the Kingdom of Ishmael
The Beginnings of Rome until Brutus
The Reign of Julius Caesar
From Augustus to Hadrian
The Rebellion of the Sons of Koziva
From Hadrian to Diocletian
The Emergence of Christianity
The Christianization of Spain
The Rise of Islam and Christianity in Spain
The History of the Kings of Israel in the Second Temple Period
Introductory Remarks
Alexander the Great
Ptolemy and the Septuagint
The Early Rule of Antiochus
The Beginning of the Maccabean Revolt
The Purification of the Temple
Judah ben Mattathias Fights Antiochus
Death of Antiochus
Dedication of the Temple
More Wars
Eleazar Dies
Judah's Treaty with Nicanor
Death of King Judah
The Rule of Jonathan and Simon
Hyrcanus and Ptolemy
Hyrcanus and Antiochus Pius
Hyrcanus and the Cutheans
Hyrcanus and the Pharisees
Aristobulus the First
Alexander Yannai and the Pharisees
Alexander's Death
The Rule of Alexandra
The Death of Alexandra
Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II
The Rise of Antipater I
Hyrcanus and Honi ha-Me'aggel (the Circle-Drawer)
Popmey [Pompey] and Aristobulus
Hyrcanus and Antipater
Popmey [Pompey] Conquers Jerusalem
Hyrcanus Fights Alexander and Gabinius
Aristobulus Fights Gabinius
Julius Caesar
The Death of Aristobulus
Herod and Hezekiah
Herod before the Sanhedrin
The Death of Julius Caesar
The Intrigues of Herod and Antigonus
Herod ben Antipater and Mark Antony
Herod Defends the Temple and Assassinates Antigonus
Hyrcanus Returns to Jerusalem
Hyrcanus' Death
Aristobulus and Alexandra
The Death of Aristobulus
Herod and Octavian Augustus
Herod and Mariamne
Mariamne's Death
Herod Rebuilds the Temple
Herod and His Sons Alexander and Aristobulus
Herod and Alexander before Octavian Augustus
Antipater's Intrigue
Archelaus Reconciles Herod with Alexander and Pheroras
The Death of Alexander and Aristobulus
Herod and His Grandsons
Antipater and Pheroras
The Trial of Antipater
Herod's Death
The Burial of Herod
Archelaus and Antipater
Agrippa and the Beginnings of the Revolt against Rome
The Death of Simon of Scythopolis
Agrippa and Cestius
Beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem and Vespasian and Titus' Invasion
Joseph ben Gorion and His Wars in the North
Vespasian and Titus in the Galilee
Johanan the Galilean and the Fighting in Jerusalem
Zechariah and Gorion
Vespasian and Josephus in Rome
The Division of Jerusalem
Titus before the Gates Jerusalem
Titus and Cantor
Hunger in Jerusalem
The Slaughter of the Innocent
The Suffering of the Jerusalemites
The Greek Attempt to Take Jerusalem
The Conquest of Jerusalem
The Struggle for the Temple
The Destruction of the Temple
Simon and Johanan before Titus
Masada
After the War: Rabban Johanan ben Zakkai and Rabban Gamaliel
Epilogue
The Midrash on Zechariah
Bibliography
1. Manuscripts
2. Editions of Ibn Daud's Works
3. Other Primary Sources
4. Secondary Sources
Index of Primary Texts
General Index
