CONTRA APION Meaning and
Definition
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Contra Apion is a Greek literary work written by the Jewish-Hellenistic historian Flavius Josephus in the first century AD. It serves as a rebuttal against the accusations made by Apion, an Alexandrian grammarian and anti-Semitic writer.
In this literary work, Josephus presents a detailed and comprehensive defense of the Jewish people against Apion’s derogatory claims and stereotypes. The title "Contra Apion" can be translated as "Against Apion" in English.
The content of Contra Apion covers a wide range of topics, including historical evidence and arguments regarding the antiquity and cultural superiority of the Jewish people. Josephus refutes Apion's assertions by providing historical facts about Jewish customs, culture, and religious practices. He also employs rhetoric and the use of ancient sources to prove the falsehood of Apion's accusations.
By writing Contra Apion, Josephus aimed to vindicate the Jewish people and their history, highlighting their significant contributions to society. The work also defends Judaism against the Greek intellectual tradition prevalent in Alexandria, attempting to challenge Apion's anti-Semitic rhetoric that was gaining traction in his time.
Contra Apion remains a valuable historical and literary document as it provides insights into the concerns and challenges faced by the Jewish community in the Hellenistic world.
Etymology of CONTRA APION
The word "contra apion" originates from Ancient Greek. Its etymology can be broken down as follows:
1. "Contra": This comes from the Ancient Greek word "κόντρα" (kontra), which means "against" or "opposite". It was adopted into Latin as "contra" and has been assimilated into various languages with the same meaning.
2. "Apion": This is a reference to a specific individual, Apion of Alexandria, who was a Greco-Egyptian grammarian and historian of the 1st century CE. He is best known for his work "Against the Jews" (Latin: "Contra Apionem"), which is a refutation of anti-Jewish writings.
