The Riddles of the Sasanian-Athenian Elders: A Talmudic Narrative in Its Cultural-Historical Context

A Talmudic narrative describes a competition that took place between R. Yehoshua b. Ḥananiah and the “elders of atuna,” often translated as the elders of Athens. The competition consisted of a series of riddles and tests, which led to R. Yehoshua outwitting the elders and ultimately defeating them. Scholars have attempted to understand the context and purpose of this debate, frequently ascribing historical, philosophical, and religious significance to the seemingly simple riddles. This article proposes an alternative identification for the elders that would align with the cultural and religious context as it is depicted in contemporary sources from the Sasanian East. It brings together formulas and motifs from Jewish magical texts, particularly the Aramaic incantation bowls, alongside Christian hagiography and Coptic amulets.