pector@ihuxw.UUCP (Scott W. Pector) (01/05/84)
Recently, a few of us in net.books have been discussing Roman and Greek classics and got sidetracked on histories. In particular, there has been a lot of mention made of Herodotus who wrote a history of the world as the Greeks knew it up to 450 B.C. History to the Greeks meant a collection of tales and stories from various peoples with as much verification as you could find (which was typically their word). His book, "The Histories," is hilarious, yet fascinating. Lots of exaggeration when it comes to the Greeks. He obtained his material over many years while traveling from country to country in the Middle East (Egypt, Persia, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor). My question is: Why does Herodotus make no mention of the Hebrews? If they had such stupendous miracles happen as discussed in the Old Testament, they would have been a topic of interest in that region. They were about the only monotheistic group, also (unless one counts the Zoroastrians in the Persian Empire, but they were too absorbed in fire gods and magi). One friend of mine suggested that, for example, the Egyptian miracles were probably "covered up." When Joseph came to Egypt, that country was under foreign domination (the Hyskos?) and the Jews became favored by that administration. The locals did not care for the Hebrews consequently. After a change in leadership (overthrow of the foreigners), the Jews fell in disfavor and were made slaves. The miracles involving Moses happened while native Egyptians ruled. Consequently, the priests weren't too anxious to record that their enemies (the Hebrews) were so successful (with the help of Yahweh) in getting away. This explanation seems kind of reasonable, but I wonder what the rest of you think. Were there so many things going on that the stories of the Hebrews were forgotten and/or suppressed by other peoples? Please respond. Scott Pector