More than Meets the Eye: Incongruity and Observation in Josephus's Account of the Triumph of Vespasian and Titus

The article begins with a brief discussion of Josephus’s experience in the First Jewish War before turning to a close reading of Josephus’s narrative. Then, following insights from Jonathan Z. Smith and his interpreters, we take up the question of the meaning of ritual and how such meaning has been elucidated in treatments of Josephus. A “locative” view of the Roman triumph, I contend, controls the critical treatment of book 7 of the Jewish War, and this model leads inevitably to a negative evaluation of Josephus. Finally, the article will propose its own theory about how Josephus, through his account of the Roman triumph, presents himself as the consummate observer of Roman rituals of war

Incoming : Ethnographic Committee

I will interview the incoming members of the ethnographic collection committee which is planned to start Fall 2022 (after I leave). I will be recording these interviews for now + also typing up a report but this is subject to change