Josephus’ Account of Masada as a Source of the National Identity of Modern Israel

Öz

Archaeology has become a most important legitimacy tool of the construction of the ethnic identity and nation-building for the modern ideologies. This is especially true for Israel. The modern state of Israel has turned the country into a virtual archaeological site to prove that they are the ancient owners of the land. Masada represents one of the centers of archaeological researches having this purpose. Mytical Masada definition shaped according to Josephus’ account of Masada is seen as a major source forming Israeli national identity. However, there is a highly serious criticism about the reliability of archaeological data and the authenticity of Josephus’ account of Masada.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Archaeology, Biblical archaeology, Israel, Zionism, Masada.

Modern İsrail’in Milli Kimlik Kaynağı Olarak Josephus’un ‘Masada’ Anlatısı

Öz

Arkeoloji, etnik kimlik ve ulus inşası konusunda modern ideolojilerin en önemli meşruiyet aracısı haline gelmiştir. Bu, İsrail açısından özellikle geçerli bir durumdur. Modern İsrail devleti, üzerinde bulundukları toprakların kadim sahipleri olduklarını ispatlamak için ülkeyi adeta bir arkeolojik sit alanına çevirmişlerdir. Masada, bu amaçla sürdürülen arkeolojik araştırmaların merkezlerinden birisini ifade etmektedir. Josephus’un Masada anlatısı üzerine şekillendirilen Masada mitik tanımı, İsrail milli kimliğini tesis eden önemli bir kaynak olarak görülmektedir. Bununla birlikte elde edilen arkeolojik veriler ile anlatının gerçekliği ve Josephus’un güvenilirliği hakkında çok ciddi eleştiriler söz konusudur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Arkeoloji, Kitab-ı Mukaddes arkeolojisi, İsrail, Siyonizm, Masada

Kaynakça

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