Language and Literacy in Roman Judaea

“This vivid and dynamic picture of how and by whom written language was employed in ancient Judaean society is a rare achievement. It will be the gold standard on these subjects for a significant time to come.”—Steven D. Fraade, Yale University

~Steven D. Fraade

“In this fascinating book, Michael Wise takes us on a remarkable journey through the languages and literatures of Judea in the second century.  Scholars are deeply in Wise’s debt for untangling many complex linguistic and historical issues in this vivid and readable volume.”—Edward M. Cook, Catholic University of America

~Edward M. Cook

“Michael Wise has done us an immense service by examining the written effects that the Judeans left in caves of refuge as they hid from the Roman army during the first and second Jewish revolts with an eye to language and literacy. This book is a must read for anyone with an interest in the vernacular and literature of Judea in the 200 years from Pompey to Hadrian.”—Martin Abegg, Jr., Trinity Western University

~Martin Abegg, Jr.

"An outspoken expert in the world of Judea and Rome, their languages, cultures and texts, Michael Wise offers a well-documented and masterly analysis of the milieu and languages of the Bar-Kochba texts as an exponent of literacy in Judea."—Emanuel Tov, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem

~Emanuel Tov

"In this marvelous and sensitive study, Wise examines the uses of language, script, and writing to explore literacy, class, cultural identity, the transmission of ideas, and the place and power of books in Roman Judaea."—Andrea M. Berlin, Boston University

~Andrea M. Berlin