The Gospel of Salome
This is a thought-provoking alternative origin story of Yeshua (Jesus). The majority of this book spans six days during riots against the Jews by the Greeks in Roman Alexandria in 38 CE. Each day also includes stories from the physician Salome (Lyra when in Greece) that span from 23 BCE- 3 CE in Rome, Nazareth, and Jerusalem.
The book opens in Greece, where we are introduced to Lyra’s childhood. She is soon orphaned, sold into slavery, sent to Rome, and bought into the house of Julia, Roman emperor Augustus’s daughter. Salome is allowed to study there, becomes a physician, and earns her freedom. She moves to Alexandria and starts a clinic in the home of Philo, a Jewish philosopher. It is here that she witnesses the riots caused when Flaccus, the Roman governor of Alexandria, has statues of Caligula put in Jewish temples. When John Mark, a first follower of Yeshua, learns that Salome was present with Mary at Yeshua’s crucifixion, he interviews her during the six days of the riot.
The story quickly drew me in and has two central parts: Salome as a physician providing medical care during that time, and Yeshua’s life as a child and adult. The story of Yeshua provided glimpses of his life and focused on the complicated relationship between Salome, Mary, and Joseph during his upbringing and again when brought back together during his crucifixion.
Through Salome’s work as a physician, we learn that ancient Alexandria was the site for the dawn of medical science, bringing together Greek and Egyptian medicine, including herbal remedies and specialized medical practices. This was well portrayed and brought a noteworthy perspective to the story.
This book is recommended to anyone interested in early Alexandria, medicine, alternative biblical fiction, and the early persecution of Jews.
