4 Maccabees

Abstract 4 Maccabees is a Jewish Diaspora writing that combines a philosophical discussion about the autonomy of pious reason with the martyrdoms of the old priest Eleazar and an anonymous mother with her seven sons, who are known as the Maccabean martyrs. It is extent in manuscripts that are attributed to Flavius Josephus or as part of Septuagint and menologia manuscripts. The martyrs refused to eat a piece of pork during a ritual meal ordered by the Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 bce) during his persecution of the Jews (cf. the older version of the martyrdoms in 2 Maccabees 6:18–7:42). 4 Maccabees dates from the early imperial age; its precise date and provenance are debated. The detailed descriptions of the martyrdoms are combined with extensive praise for the martyrs (chaps. 5–18). They substantiate the philosophical proposition about the autonomy of devout reason argued for in 1:1–3:18.