J. S. Warden.
Classic Authors and the Jews (Vol. ix., p. 221.).—In Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography a few references are given, under the words "Herodes," "Hyrcanus," &c., to classical authors who refer to the Jewish people, their country and customs. Probably many more will be given in the Dictionary of Geography, under the words "Palestine," "Jerusalem," &c., when the work is completed. To suppose that the classical authors allude but seldom to the Jews is a mistake. Roman writers of the post-Augustan period abound in allusions to them. I can supply
B. H. C. with a few. The Histories of Tacitus refer to them in almost every page, and book v. especially contains an account of their origin, institutions, chief city, and temple. Juvenal also has frequent allusions to their customs and habits, e. g. Sat. iii. 14., xiv. 101. &c.; see also Horace's Satires, I. iv. 143., I. v. 100., and I. ix. 70., with Macleane's notes on the two latter passages; Pliny, V. xiv. 15., XIII. iv. 9., XXXI. viii. 44.; Quint., III. vii. 21.; Just., xxxvi. 2. I am not aware of any work which gives all the passages in classical authors referring to the Jews.
Francis J. Leachman, B.A.
In answer to your correspondent B. H. C., I beg to say that I have found out the following passages in classic authors bearing on Judea and the Jews, all of which I have authenticated myself, except where I had not the book at hand:
Tacitus. Annales, ii. 85.; xii. 23. 54.; xv. 44.
Ditto. Historiæ, i. 10.; ii. 1. 4, 5. 78. 79. 81.; v. passim.
Horace. Satires, i. 4. 143.; i. 5. 100.; i. 9. 70.
Juvenal. Satires, ii. 14.; vi. 158-160, 537-547.; xiv. 96-106.
Persius. Satires, v. 180-189.