medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
A couple of suggested corrections: The story of the "Maccabean Martyrs"
and their mother, also known as Martha Shamuni, is set against the
background of Antiochus IV [not III] Epiphanes, who did not attempt to
eradicate Judaism, but to force compliance on the part of resisting Jews
to his program of "hellenization." Some Jews were already cooperating,
which caused a sort of "civil war" between Jews, as well as resistance by
the "observant" camps (e.g. Maccabees, Hasideans) to the program and its
sponsors.
Bob Kraft
> Today (1. August) is the feast day of:
>
> Maccabean Martyrs (d. c. 168 BCE) These martyrs, by tradition a woman
> named Hannah and her seven sons, were victims of Antiochus III Epiphanes
> and his efforts to eradicate Judaism. The account of their deaths played
> an important role in shaping the Christian concept of martyrdom. Which
> makes it sad that their cult was restricted to local calendars in 1969.
> Maybe this has something to do with the fact that when their supposed
> relics were examined in the 1930s it was discovered that they were really
> dog bones.
--
Robert A. Kraft, Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania
227 Logan Hall (Philadelphia PA 19104-6304); tel. 215 898-5827
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http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rs/rak/kraft.html
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