The Jewish Festival of Sukkot in the Eyes of the Pagan Authors

Abstract

The pagan authors did not pay much attention to the Jewish festivals celebrated in Jerusalem. The only one we may precisely discern is the Festival of Tabernacles i.e. Sukkot. Plutarch in his Table talks made some interesting but incoherent remarks on it. It is certain that he has not obtained his information from personal observation and investigation but he has clearly referred to other pagan authors. His view of Sukkot reflects Sadducean tradition. His labelling of one specific Jewish feast by the name of Bacchus allows us to consider if he knew something about Essean community. Two other pagan authors, Tacitus and Menander of Laodicea, who also wrote about the Jewish festivals, do not deliver us any details concerning Sukkot as such.