Between Flavian Power and Jewish Trauma

Abstract

This paper addresses the unemotionality of Josephus’ narrative of the Flavian triumph in the Jewish War in light of other passages from the BJ in which Josephus’ writing is expressly emotional. Examining several instances in which the recollection of trauma leads Josephus’ author-persona to express grief, pity, or other allied emotions, this paper argues that a lamentation of this type is to be expected on the occasion of the triumph. However, none is given. This absence, it is argued, results from an expectation on the part of the Flavians that their triumphal procession is to be a celebratory occasion and not a traumatic one. However, the triumph pericope is not celebratory, and signs of discomfort are present between the lines, reminding the reader of other scenes where Josephus’ author-persona is explicit about his lamentation. From this evidence it is argued that Josephus’ author-persona intentionally removed himself from the narration of the triumph in order to compose a scene that would pass muster with the Flavians while still expressing the trauma that the triumphal procession inflicted.

Keywords

• Josephus
• Jewish War
• Roman Triumph
• Flavians
• Emotionality