Drama and History in Josephus’ Bellum Judaicum

Abstract

The authors examine the  dramatic technique,  language  and structure of Josephus’ narrative of the fatal intrigues in Herod’s court in the Bellum Judaicum, particularly in one episode  involving the  foreigner Eurycles  which  functions  as  a kind  of self-contained  act within  the  larger  drama.  It is suggested  that  Josephus’  use  of  the  words ὑποκρίνεσθαι/  ὑποκριτὴς/  ὑπόκρισις in the whole Herodian drama, but particularly in the Eurycles episode, to mean ‘act’ as well as ‘deceive’, reflects recent developments in those  words  arising  from  changes  in  theatrical  tastes  and  histrionic  techniques  of the time. The dramatic structure and language of the Herodian domestic  narrative  involved  creative  choices  so  far-reaching  that  they  could  only  have been the product of Josephus’  own artistic decisions and control over the material; his notorious ‘assistants’ are thus pushed to the periphery.