ANCIENT JEWISH JOKES were the subject of a lecture last night by Professor Erich Gruen (UC Berkeley) at the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. Excerpt from the Daily Pennsylvanian article:

But according to Gruen, it was not a case of simple anti-Semitism.

Rather, these jokes represent "Greco-Roman cultural snobbery" more than a widespread anti-Semitic ideology.

He explained that ancient societies simply branded all other different cultures as inferior.

Tacitus has often been called "the arch anti-Semite." But as Gruen argued, the Roman historian didn't reserve his hatred specifically for Jews --he despised Christians, Egyptians and many others as well.

In fact, explained Gruen, throughout the pagan world, many were complacently ignorant about Jewish practices and customs.

"They didn't care enough to get the facts straight," Gruen said.

He went on to note that just because ancient Greeks and Romans may not have been anti-Semites, the Jews still suffered under their rule.