This volume offers a comprehensive discussion of all relevant sources concerning Jewish martyrdom in Antiquity. By viewing these narratives together, tracing their development and comparing them to other traditions, the authors seek to explore how Jewish is Jewish martyrdom. To this end, they analyse the impact of the changing social and religious-cultural circumstances and the interactions with Graeco-Roman and Christian traditions. This results in the identification of important continuities and discontinuities. Consequently, while political ideals that are prominent in 2 and 4 Maccabees are remarkably absent from rabbinic sources, the latter reveal a growing awareness of Christian motifs and discourse.

Program:

15.00 hours: open house & welcome

15.15 -16.30: panel session about the book, chaired by Prof. Lutz Doering (University of Münster)

Panelists:

• Dr. Ortal-Paz Saar (University of Utrecht)
• Dr. Lieve Teugels (Protestant Theological University)
• Dr. Eric Ottenheijm (University of Utrecht)
• Prof. Jan Bremmer (University of Groningen)

Respondents:

• Prof. Yair Furstenberg (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
• Prof. Jan Willem van Henten (University of Amsterdam)

Discussion.

16.30 hours: presentation of the first hard copy of the book to Mrs. Beate Herbst, the widow of the third author, Prof. Friedrich Avemarie (Marburg), followed by a reception.

Registration: please send an email to J.W.vanHenten@uva.nl

This book launch was made possible in cooperation with the Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture (AHM), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Compendia Rerum Iudaicarum ad Novum Testamentum Foundation.