The Jewish War: Book 7

[cahn]

The last book!

Last week: Astrological phenomena and the star of Bethlehem. Messianic (?) prophecy about Vespasian. Brutality of the siege, and discussion of the law of war protecting prisoners from the enemy army (or lack thereof). Imperator.

This week: Book 7. Wrapping up of the war. The Masada fortress and group suicide (which I think is interesting to think about given the discussion we had a few books back). The temple of Onias. (Dedicated commment threads for both of these below, for anyone who wants to join in!)

Yay book club, thank you everyone!

Comments

[selenak]

In order not to scream out my bias, I shall make yet another suggestion: Herodotus aka "The Father of History" is another author I've always wanted to tackle, more so than Thucydides, if only because T sneered about H that he was a mere story-teller.

[cahn]

I mean I'm good with all of these but why NOT scream out your bias? :D

I think my top votes right now are a) Golden Ass, since it sounds like all three of us would be interested in it and have not read it (except for possibly me?? lol) and b) Oresteia, since I have not personally read it but it does seem like one of those things I Need to read (I suppose I'm spoiled for a lot of it anyway, haha), and both you and cenozoicsynapsid like it.