Simcha Gross
@simchagross.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Ancient Jewish History, UPenn
Reposted by Simcha Gross
I am pleased to announce that John Penniman, Emanuel Fiano, and I are launching a new book series for the study of religion in late antiquity with Fordham University Press. If you have a book-in-progress looking for a home, please reach out to discuss your project!
fordhampress.com/theoria
fordhampress.com/theoria
November 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I am pleased to announce that John Penniman, Emanuel Fiano, and I are launching a new book series for the study of religion in late antiquity with Fordham University Press. If you have a book-in-progress looking for a home, please reach out to discuss your project!
fordhampress.com/theoria
fordhampress.com/theoria
Reposted by Simcha Gross
I got to go on @mikemotia.bsky.social 's podcast, New Books in Late Antiquity, and talk about my new book, Things Unseen!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Ellen Muehlberger,
Podcast Episode · New Books in Late Antiquity · 11/10/2025 · 1h 14m
podcasts.apple.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
I got to go on @mikemotia.bsky.social 's podcast, New Books in Late Antiquity, and talk about my new book, Things Unseen!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
Calling all Minnesota friends. I'm giving a book talk at the St. Paul JCC next Tuesday (Nov 4th) and would love to see you! cla.umn.edu/jewish-studi...
Krista Dalton (Kenyon College) Presents: Table Fellowship as a Holy Altar: How Dinner Parties Shaped Rabbinic Judaism
People often take the existence of rabbis and their authority as a given, but that role and institution also needed to be invented–and some of the forces that shaped it may surprise you. This lecture ...
cla.umn.edu
October 27, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Calling all Minnesota friends. I'm giving a book talk at the St. Paul JCC next Tuesday (Nov 4th) and would love to see you! cla.umn.edu/jewish-studi...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
@philharland.bsky.social has an article out in MTSR.
Putting the Persian Back in “Magic”: Problems with Ignoring Ancient Ethnographic Discourses
brill.com/view/journal...
Putting the Persian Back in “Magic”: Problems with Ignoring Ancient Ethnographic Discourses
brill.com/view/journal...
brill.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
@philharland.bsky.social has an article out in MTSR.
Putting the Persian Back in “Magic”: Problems with Ignoring Ancient Ethnographic Discourses
brill.com/view/journal...
Putting the Persian Back in “Magic”: Problems with Ignoring Ancient Ethnographic Discourses
brill.com/view/journal...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
Open Access Cornucopia for scholars of late antique Judaism today! (1) William Smelik, “A New Aramaic Fragment of Toledot Yeshu as Targum Yerushalmi Isaiah 66.17” in Aramaic Studies = brill.com/view/journal... +
brill.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Open Access Cornucopia for scholars of late antique Judaism today! (1) William Smelik, “A New Aramaic Fragment of Toledot Yeshu as Targum Yerushalmi Isaiah 66.17” in Aramaic Studies = brill.com/view/journal... +
Reposted by Simcha Gross
It's not too late to sign-up! Level 1 offered this fall and Level 2 offered in January. An affordable option for ancient language learners (and lovers)!
Come learn Coptic via The Religion Department starting 10/27!
8-week primer (Level 1) moves from learning alphabet to reading ancient texts. Through lectures, study guides, and weekly challenges you will discover the beauty of Coptic and the Coptic Gospel of Thomas!
tinyurl.com/3ktkyffj
8-week primer (Level 1) moves from learning alphabet to reading ancient texts. Through lectures, study guides, and weekly challenges you will discover the beauty of Coptic and the Coptic Gospel of Thomas!
tinyurl.com/3ktkyffj
Learning Coptic Through the Gospel of Thomas (Level 1)
tinyurl.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
It's not too late to sign-up! Level 1 offered this fall and Level 2 offered in January. An affordable option for ancient language learners (and lovers)!
A 2nd article is also out today, w/Michele Scarlassara!
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
October 22, 2025 at 11:19 AM
A 2nd article is also out today, w/Michele Scarlassara!
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
My article “Does an Arrow a Day Keep Satan Away? Late Antique Magical Subtexts in Babylonian Rabbinic Narratives” is now OA in HTR!
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
October 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
My article “Does an Arrow a Day Keep Satan Away? Late Antique Magical Subtexts in Babylonian Rabbinic Narratives” is now OA in HTR!
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
My interview with The Ancients podcast on the Sasanians and the Rise of Islam.
open.spotify.com/episode/42Mc...
open.spotify.com/episode/42Mc...
Rise of Islam
open.spotify.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
My interview with The Ancients podcast on the Sasanians and the Rise of Islam.
open.spotify.com/episode/42Mc...
open.spotify.com/episode/42Mc...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
Warsaw Late Antique Seminar on Thursday 9 October (4.45 p.m.): Simcha Gross @simchagross.bsky.social (University of Pennsylvania), "Good Fences Make Bad Neighbors: Communities and Empire on the Roman-Sasanian Frontier". In person and online, as usual.
October 6, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Warsaw Late Antique Seminar on Thursday 9 October (4.45 p.m.): Simcha Gross @simchagross.bsky.social (University of Pennsylvania), "Good Fences Make Bad Neighbors: Communities and Empire on the Roman-Sasanian Frontier". In person and online, as usual.
Reposted by Simcha Gross
Hmm… I wrote a piece about the epistemic erasure of Jews & my institution posted about it in a manner that doesn’t mention Jews—should I be happy they proved my point or upset…? 🤔
October 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Hmm… I wrote a piece about the epistemic erasure of Jews & my institution posted about it in a manner that doesn’t mention Jews—should I be happy they proved my point or upset…? 🤔
Reposted by Simcha Gross
Warsaw Late Antique Seminar. The programme for Winter Semester is ready. Take a look!
More on the seminar's website...
More on the seminar's website...
September 29, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Warsaw Late Antique Seminar. The programme for Winter Semester is ready. Take a look!
More on the seminar's website...
More on the seminar's website...
Very honored to have been invited by @relicsclerics.bsky.social to present at the Warsaw Late Antique Seminar, and to be included in this incredible roster.
Join us!
Join us!
September 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Very honored to have been invited by @relicsclerics.bsky.social to present at the Warsaw Late Antique Seminar, and to be included in this incredible roster.
Join us!
Join us!
Reposted by Simcha Gross
CRAC is getting five! And is going to celebrate this anniversary with a conference The Shady Trade of Hermes: Theft, Thieves and Thievery in the Ancient World to be held on 25-27 September 2025 at the University of Warsaw. If you happen to be in town, do join us!
Programme: bit.ly/42JturY
Programme: bit.ly/42JturY
September 23, 2025 at 7:23 AM
CRAC is getting five! And is going to celebrate this anniversary with a conference The Shady Trade of Hermes: Theft, Thieves and Thievery in the Ancient World to be held on 25-27 September 2025 at the University of Warsaw. If you happen to be in town, do join us!
Programme: bit.ly/42JturY
Programme: bit.ly/42JturY
Reposted by Simcha Gross
I have been informed by the good folks at @gorgiaspress.bsky.social that my translation of the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (aka 2 Baruch) is officially in print, though I don't have a hard copy yet. Here's a link: www.gorgiaspress.com/maccabees-3-...
3-4 Maccabees and the Apocalypse of Baruch According to the Syriac Peshitta Version with English Translation
This volume is part of a series of English translations of the Syriac Peshitta along with the Syriac text carried out by an international team of scholars.
www.gorgiaspress.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I have been informed by the good folks at @gorgiaspress.bsky.social that my translation of the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (aka 2 Baruch) is officially in print, though I don't have a hard copy yet. Here's a link: www.gorgiaspress.com/maccabees-3-...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
We are thrilled to announce that beginning with our winter issue in January 2026, the Jewish Quarterly Review will become fully open access, including future issues and our whole 136-year back catalog!
Learn more about this exciting change on the blog:
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...
Learn more about this exciting change on the blog:
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...
A Gift from JQR and the Katz Center
A century and a third of Jewish scholarship goes open access
katz.sas.upenn.edu
September 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
We are thrilled to announce that beginning with our winter issue in January 2026, the Jewish Quarterly Review will become fully open access, including future issues and our whole 136-year back catalog!
Learn more about this exciting change on the blog:
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...
Learn more about this exciting change on the blog:
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
and the podcast is up! sorry I'm in such dim light it's, uh, the mystery of biblical conspiracy surrounding me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9o1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9o1...
September 17, 2025 at 9:04 PM
and the podcast is up! sorry I'm in such dim light it's, uh, the mystery of biblical conspiracy surrounding me
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9o1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9o1...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
(1/5) It's peer review week! #PRW2025 Thank you to those who have reviewed for JQR over the years. We would not be here without you.
Check out this thread for insights and reflections from the JQR editors on the peer review process, including advice for authors and reviewers. 🧵
Check out this thread for insights and reflections from the JQR editors on the peer review process, including advice for authors and reviewers. 🧵
September 15, 2025 at 4:48 PM
(1/5) It's peer review week! #PRW2025 Thank you to those who have reviewed for JQR over the years. We would not be here without you.
Check out this thread for insights and reflections from the JQR editors on the peer review process, including advice for authors and reviewers. 🧵
Check out this thread for insights and reflections from the JQR editors on the peer review process, including advice for authors and reviewers. 🧵
Reposted by Simcha Gross
New issue of Journal of Late Antiquity Vol. 18, No. (2025) muse.jhu.edu/issue/55589 @projectmuse.bsky.social @hopkinspress.bsky.social @jmrcolvin.bsky.social
September 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
New issue of Journal of Late Antiquity Vol. 18, No. (2025) muse.jhu.edu/issue/55589 @projectmuse.bsky.social @hopkinspress.bsky.social @jmrcolvin.bsky.social
Reposted by Simcha Gross
With the caveat that I've been the editor for all of three minutes, here's a thread about the goings on at the Journal of Early Christian Studies---far rosier, for reasons that I think have to do with size
Academic authors, here's a peek into the black box of journal publishing from an journal editor if you can bear it:
September 7, 2025 at 1:08 PM
With the caveat that I've been the editor for all of three minutes, here's a thread about the goings on at the Journal of Early Christian Studies---far rosier, for reasons that I think have to do with size
Reposted by Simcha Gross
Excited to announce my book that is forthcoming in January. I’m looking forward to sharing more soon. Let me know if your faculty, students, or community would be interested in a talk or class.
Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt | Princeton University Press. Description at: bit.ly/PerrySlavery
Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt | Princeton University Press. Description at: bit.ly/PerrySlavery
September 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Excited to announce my book that is forthcoming in January. I’m looking forward to sharing more soon. Let me know if your faculty, students, or community would be interested in a talk or class.
Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt | Princeton University Press. Description at: bit.ly/PerrySlavery
Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt | Princeton University Press. Description at: bit.ly/PerrySlavery
Reposted by Simcha Gross
It's time to tell you to pre-order this! $34.95 for a handy lil' paperback!
www.ucpress.edu/books/things...
www.ucpress.edu/books/things...
Things Unseen by Ellen Muehlberger - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
www.ucpress.edu
July 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
It's time to tell you to pre-order this! $34.95 for a handy lil' paperback!
www.ucpress.edu/books/things...
www.ucpress.edu/books/things...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
If you're itching to read about "Apocalyptic" in the most arcane senses of that term, perhaps to distract you from much else apocalyptic in our times, this is the series for you! humanhistoriesofkn.substack.com/p/away-from-...
September 2, 2025 at 4:58 AM
If you're itching to read about "Apocalyptic" in the most arcane senses of that term, perhaps to distract you from much else apocalyptic in our times, this is the series for you! humanhistoriesofkn.substack.com/p/away-from-...
Reposted by Simcha Gross
Why do Jews cover their heads?
In JQR 115.3, @simchagross.bsky.social looks at norms of Jewish male head covering as a proxy for cultural assimilation and difference in rabbinic Rome and Sasania.
Learn more on the blog and read his essay FREE thru September 5!
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...
In JQR 115.3, @simchagross.bsky.social looks at norms of Jewish male head covering as a proxy for cultural assimilation and difference in rabbinic Rome and Sasania.
Learn more on the blog and read his essay FREE thru September 5!
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...
Why Do Jews Cover Their Heads?
In JQR 115.3, Simcha Gross looks at norms of Jewish male head covering as a proxy for cultural assimilation and difference in rabbinic Rome and Sasania
katz.sas.upenn.edu
August 21, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Why do Jews cover their heads?
In JQR 115.3, @simchagross.bsky.social looks at norms of Jewish male head covering as a proxy for cultural assimilation and difference in rabbinic Rome and Sasania.
Learn more on the blog and read his essay FREE thru September 5!
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...
In JQR 115.3, @simchagross.bsky.social looks at norms of Jewish male head covering as a proxy for cultural assimilation and difference in rabbinic Rome and Sasania.
Learn more on the blog and read his essay FREE thru September 5!
katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/bl...