
Situating Josephus' Life within Ancient Autobiography
Genre in Context
Davina Grojnowski(Author)
Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
Published on 13. July 2023
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-350-32016-1 (ISBN)
Description
Davina Grojnowski examines Life, the autobiographical text written by ancient Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, from a literary studies perspective and in relation to genre theory. In order to generate a framework of literary practices, Josephus' Life and other texts within Josephus' literary spheres-all associated with autobiography-are the focus of a detailed literary analysis which compares the texts in terms of established features, such as structure, topoi and subject. This methodological examination enables a better understanding of the literary boundaries of autobiography in antiquity and illustrates Josephus' thought-process during the composition of Life.
Grojnowski also offers a comparative study of autobiographical practices in Greek and Roman literature, demonstrating the value of passive education supplementing what had been taught actively and its impact on authors and audiences. As a result, she provides insight into the development of literary practices in reaction to various forms of education and subsequently reflects on the religious (self-) views of authors and audiences. Simultaneously, Grojnowski reacts to current discourses on ancient literary genres and demonstrates that ancient autobiography existed as a teachable literary genre in classical literature.
Grojnowski also offers a comparative study of autobiographical practices in Greek and Roman literature, demonstrating the value of passive education supplementing what had been taught actively and its impact on authors and audiences. As a result, she provides insight into the development of literary practices in reaction to various forms of education and subsequently reflects on the religious (self-) views of authors and audiences. Simultaneously, Grojnowski reacts to current discourses on ancient literary genres and demonstrates that ancient autobiography existed as a teachable literary genre in classical literature.
Reviews / Votes
In a study of great use to scholars of Josephus, ancient Judaism and Classics, Davina Grojnowski settles a longstanding dispute by convincingly showing that autobiography was a recognized genre in antiquity, and arguing that Josephus' Life should be understood as making its own contributions as an important representative. * David R. Edwards, Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor, Florida State University, USA *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
480 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-32016-1 (9781350320161)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2023
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€31.99
Available for download
Person
Davina Grojnowski is an independent scholar based in Germany.
Content
Acknowledgements
1. State of the Question
2. Genre Theory
3. Josephus' Literary Milieu
4. Opening Features and Subject
5. External Features
6. Internal Features
7. Conclusions of the analysis
8. A New Reading
Bibliography
Index
1. State of the Question
2. Genre Theory
3. Josephus' Literary Milieu
4. Opening Features and Subject
5. External Features
6. Internal Features
7. Conclusions of the analysis
8. A New Reading
Bibliography
Index