The parable of the disappearing gladiators: interpreting a late antique cultural reference in Genesis Rabba’s exposition of the Cain and Abel narrative
According to the mashal (parable) attributed to Shimʿon ben Yoḥai in Gen. Rab. 22:9, the murder of Abel (Gen 4:8–10) may be likened to a gladiator’s death in the arena. This article argues that the parable assumes the audience’s familiarity with gladiatorial shows, which came to an end in the early...
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
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Brill Academic Publishers
2022
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