Procopius of Caesarea and the girgashite diaspora

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Abstract

Procopius of Caesarea reports the existence of an inscription in Numidia, allegedly written by the refugees from Canaan's conquest by Joshua. While this claim cannot be taken at face value, it raises interesting questions as to its provenance and purpose. Regarding provenance, the complicated situation of the sources (especially the ongoing debate about the real date of Moses of Khorene) unfortunately prevents a firm conclusion. Regarding purpose, the inscription seems to reflect the political and religious tensions, which accompanied Belisarius' campaign to regain North Africa for the Roman Empire and Justinian's attempts to Christianize those parts of African society who abided by their polytheistic ancestral custom.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)257-276
Number of pages20
JournalJournal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011

Keywords

  • Girgashites
  • Joshua
  • Moors.
  • Moses of Khorene
  • Procopius

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Religious studies

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