Superheroes and Their Ancient Jewish Parallels

<p> Persia had Rostam. Babylonia had Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Egypt had Horus and Isis. Greece had Odysseus and Achilles.</p><p> Israel had its heroes too--Moses David Esther and Samson. While Israel's heroes did not wear capes or spandex they did meet cultural needs.</p><p> In times of crisis heroes emerge to model virtues that inspire a sense of commitment and worth. Identity concerns were especially acute for a post-exilic Jewish culture. Using modern American superheroes and their stories in a cross-cultural discussion this book presents the stories of Israelite characters as heroes filling a cultural need.</p>