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Document Details : Title: Between Biblical Tradition and Hellenistic Ideology Subtitle: A Profile of an Ideal Ruler in the First Book of Maccabees Author(s): TILLY, Michael Journal: Orientalia Volume: 93 Issue: 1 Date: 2024 Pages: 199-211 DOI: 10.2143/ORI.93.1.3293752 Abstract : The notion of the king as charismatic leader and ruler became a general structural feature of the Hellenistic royal ideology of the empires that followed Alexander’s reign. The first part of this contribution outlines the positive qualities of such an individual ideal ruler mentioned in the ancient sources. This profile is contrasted in the second part with the literary image of the Maccabean brothers in the First Book of Maccabees. The third part compares this image with the ruler ideology of the Jewish Biblical tradition. Overall, the essay will demonstrate that the pro-Hasmonean propaganda writing, by means of a deliberate combination and modification of Hellenistic and Biblical ruler stereotypes, intends, on the one hand, the religious legitimation and authorization of the disputed dynasty by its subordinates and, on the other hand, seeks the political recognition of the Hasmonean state by the surrounding Hellenistic empires. |
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