An Old Priest, Seven Boys, and an Old Mother

Philosophical Devices in the Martyrdom Narrative of 4 Maccabees

Abstract

The Fourth Book of Maccabees is a treatise in which the anonymous author attempts to prove that pious reason can master the passions and that mastery of passions is attainable for everyone as long as one can observe the Law. In order to explain these theses, the author amplifies the martyrdom narrative in the second part of 4 Maccebees taken from 2 Maccabees and makes the conditions stricter, by emphasizing the youth of the seven brothers and the old age of their mother (as well as the old age of Eleazar the priest). The author demonstrates that theoretically everyone should be able to rule over their passions, for everyone is under easier conditions than these martyrs. In other words, 4 Maccabees is not only a funeral oration that reports the martyrdom narrative, but also a treatise in which the author utilizes some philosophical devises on purpose.