Abstract
When we compare the genealogical strategies of the Ptolemies, Seleukids, and Hasmoneans, those of the Ptolemies and the Hasmoneans display striking parallels, while the Seleukids followed a different policy. This article explores one facet of the parallels, the combined use of funerary monuments, festivals, and narratives (mythical and historical) to create prestigious dynastic ancestors. We commence with Alexander the Great and Nectanebo II, the last native king to rule before the Persian conquest of Egypt, who became putative ancestors of the Ptolemies by way of Alexander’s Sema in Alexandria, the Ptolemaic ruler cult, and four texts—the Demotic Chronicle, Nectanebo’s Dream and its “sequel”, and the Alexander Romance. The comparison between the Ptolemies and the Hasmoneans focuses on Alexander’s Sema and the Hasmonean funerary monument erected by Simon in Modi’in. Alongside their physical similarities, we show how the Modi’in monument was instrumental in turning the Hasmonean John Hyrkanos into the heir of all the tomb dwellers, particularly Judas Maccabee.
Bibliography
Almagor, E. “Seleukid love and power: Stratonike I.” In Coşkun and McAuley 2016, 67–86.Search in Google Scholar
Alonso, T. “Some remarks on the funeral of the kings: from Philipp II to the Diadochi.” In Alexander and his Successors, edited by P. Wheatley and R. Hannah, 276–98. Claremont: Regina, 2009.Search in Google Scholar
Assmann, J. Das Kulturelle Gedächtnis. Munich: C. H. Beck, 1992.10.17104/9783406703409Search in Google Scholar
Anson, E. “Ptolemy and the Destruction of the First Regency.” In Ptolemy I, edited by T. Howe, 20–35. Oxford: Oxbow, 2018.10.2307/j.ctv13pk80g.9Search in Google Scholar
Assmann, J. Das Kulturelle Gedächtnis. Munich: C. H. Beck, 1992.10.17104/9783406703409Search in Google Scholar
Assmann, J. Cultural Memory and Early Civilization. Cambridge: Cambridge U. P., 2011.10.1017/CBO9780511996306Search in Google Scholar
Berlin, A. “Power and its afterlife: tombs in Hellenistic Palestine.” NEA 65 (2002): 138–148.10.2307/3210875Search in Google Scholar
Berlin, A. “Review of The Hellenistic Paintings of Marisa, by D. Jacobson.” BASOR 354 (2009): 91–93.10.1086/BASOR25609323Search in Google Scholar
Berlin, A. and P. Kosmin, editors. The Middle Maccabees. Atlanta: SBL, 2021. 10.2307/j.ctv1k531p8Search in Google Scholar
Blasius, A. and B. Schipper, editors. Apokalyptik und Ägypten. Leuven: Peeters, 2002. Search in Google Scholar
Bulloch, A., et al., editors. Image and Ideologie. Berkeley: University of California, 1993.Search in Google Scholar
Caneva, S. From Alexander to the Theoi Adelphoi. Leuven: Peeters, 2016.Search in Google Scholar
Chugg, A. “The tomb of Alexander the Great in Alexandria.” AJAH 1 (2002) [2003]: 75–108.10.1093/gr/49.1.8Search in Google Scholar
Connerton, P. Bodily Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge U. P., 1989.Search in Google Scholar
Coşkun, A. and A. McAuley, editors. Seleukid Royal Women. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner, 2016.10.25162/9783515112963Search in Google Scholar
Dieleman, J. and I. Moyer. “Egyptian Literature.” In A Companion of Hellenistic Literature, edited by J. Clauss and M. Cuypers, 429–447. Oxford: Blackwell, 2010. 10.1002/9781118970577.ch28Search in Google Scholar
Eckhardt, B. Ethnos und Herrschaft. Berlin: de Gruyter, 2013. 10.1515/9783110309171Search in Google Scholar
Engels, D. Benefactors, Kings, Rulers. Leuven: Peeters, 2017. Search in Google Scholar
Engels, D. and K. Erickson. “Apama and Stratonike – marriage and legitimacy.” In Coşkun and McAuley 2016, 39–65.Search in Google Scholar
Erickson, K. The Early Seleucids, their Gods and their Coins. Ph.D. Diss. University of Exeter, 2009.Search in Google Scholar
Erll, A. Memory in Culture. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.10.1057/9780230321670Search in Google Scholar
Erll, A., N. Nünning and S. Young. A Companion to Cultural Memory Studies. Berlin: de Gruyter, 2010. Search in Google Scholar
Felber, H. “Die demotische Chronik.” In Blasius and Schipper 2002, 65–111. Search in Google Scholar
Fine, S. Art and Identity in Later Second Temple Period Judaea. Cincinnati: University of Cincinnati U. P., 2002.Search in Google Scholar
Fischer-Bovet, C. “The machinations of the Ptolemaic state in their relationship with Judea (160–104 BCE).” In Berlin and Kosmin, 2021, 293–310. 10.2307/j.ctv1k531p8.21Search in Google Scholar
Fraser, P. Ptolemaic Alexandria. 3 vols. Oxford: Oxford U. P., 1972–1982.Search in Google Scholar
Gehrke, H.-J. “Der siegreiche Konig: Überlegungen zur hellenistischen Monarchie.” Archiv für Kulturgeschichte 64 (1982): 247–277.10.7788/akg-1982-0203Search in Google Scholar
Goldstein, J. I Maccabees. Garden City: Doubleday, 1976. 10.5040/9780300262049Search in Google Scholar
Gorre, G. Les relations du clergé égyptien et des Lagides. Leuven: Peeters, 2009 a. Search in Google Scholar
Gorre, G. “Nectanébo-le-faucon et la dynastie lagide.” AncSoc 39 (2009b): 55–69.10.2143/AS.39.0.2042605Search in Google Scholar
Gorre, G. “The Satrap Stela: a middle ground approach.” JEH 10 (2017): 51–68.10.1163/18741665-12340034Search in Google Scholar
Gozzoli, R. The Writing of History in Ancient Egypt during the First Millennium BC (ca. 1070–180 BC). London: Golden House, 2006. Search in Google Scholar
Grainger, J. The Seleukid Empire of Antiochus III, 223–187 BC. Barnsley: Pen & Sword, 2015.Search in Google Scholar
Graslin-Thomé, L. and A.-E. Veïsse. “Les relations entre séleucides et lagides après la sixième guerre de Syrie : une histoire sans intérêt?” In Les derniers Séleucides et leur territoire, edited by L. Graslin-Thomé and C. Feyel. Nancy: ADRA, 2021.Search in Google Scholar
Guimier-Sorbets, A.-M. “L’image de Ptolémée devant Alexandrie.” In Images et modernité hellénistiques, edited by F.-H. Massa-Pairault and G. Sauron, 163–176. Rome: École française de Rome, 2007. Search in Google Scholar
Hachlili, R. Jewish Funerary Customs, Practices and Rites in the Second Temple Period. Leiden: Brill, 2005.10.1163/9789047404156Search in Google Scholar
Hadley, R. “Royal propaganda of Seleucus I and Lysimachus.” JHS 94 (1974): 50–65.10.2307/630419Search in Google Scholar
Honigman, S. “Novellas for diverting Jewish urban businessmen or channels of knowledge: redefining Judean short stories of Hellenistic times.” Ancient Narrative 17 (2020): 189–227.10.21827/an.17.37010Search in Google Scholar
Honigman, S. “Commemorative fictions: Athens (480 BCE), Jerusalem (168 BCE), and Alexandria (38 CE).” In Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel 10.1 (2021): 77–96.10.1628/hebai-2021-0007Search in Google Scholar
Honigman, S. “2 Macc: révolte et persécutions entre histoire et mémoire.” In The Books of the Maccabees, edited by J. von Henten. Leuven: Peeters, forthcoming.Search in Google Scholar
Hölbl, G. History of the Ptolemaic Empire. London: Routledge, 2001.Search in Google Scholar
Hornung, E. Geschichte als Fest. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1966.Search in Google Scholar
Johnson, J. and R. Ritner. “Multiple meaning and ambiguity in the ‘Demotic Chronicle’.” In Studies in Egyptology Presented to Miriam Lichtheim, edited by S. Israelit-Groll, 494–506. Jerusalem: Magness, 1990. Search in Google Scholar
Iossif, P. “Apollo Toxotes and the Seleukids: comme un air de famille.” In More than Men, less than Gods, edited by I. Panaiotis, A. Chankowski and C. Lorber, 229–292. Leuven: Peeters, 2011.Search in Google Scholar
Jacobson, D. The Hellenistic Paintings of Marisa, including a facsimile reprint of Painted Tombs in the Necropolis of Marissa (Marêshah), by John P. Peters and Hermann Thiersch. Leeds: Maney, 2007.Search in Google Scholar
Koenen, L. “The dream of Nektanebos.” BASP 22 (1985): 171–194. Search in Google Scholar
Koenen, L. “The Ptolemaic king as a religious figure.” In Image and Ideologie, edited by A. Bulloch et al., 25–115. Berkeley: University of California, 1993.Search in Google Scholar
Lorber, C. “A revised chronology for the coinage of Ptolemy I.” NC 165 (2005): 45–64.Search in Google Scholar
Lorber, C. “The currency reform and character of Ptolemy I.” In Ptolemy I, edited by T. Howe, 60–87. Oxford: Oxbow, 2018.10.2307/j.ctv13pk80g.11Search in Google Scholar
Lorber, C. “Numismatic evidence and the chronology of the Fifth Syrian War.” In Times of Transition, edited by S. Honigman, C. Nihan and O. Lipschits, 31–42. Philadelphia: Penn State U. P., 2021 a.10.5325/j.ctv1rnpjsc.8Search in Google Scholar
Lorber, C. “The circulation of Ptolemaic silver coins in Seleucid Coele Syria and Phoenicia: implications for the history of Judah.” In Berlin and Kosmin 2021, 311–330. 2021 b. 10.2307/j.ctv1k531p8.22Search in Google Scholar
Matthey, P. Pharaon, magicien et filou. DOI: 10.13097/archive-ouverte/unige:24160; URN: urn:nbn:ch:unige-241608. Ph.D. Diss., University of Geneva, 2012.Search in Google Scholar
Matthey, P. “Alexandre et le sarcophage de Nectanebo II.” In Alexander the Great and Egypt, edited by V. Grieb, K. Nawotka and A. Wojciechowska, 315–336. Wiesbaden: Harrasowitz, 2014.Search in Google Scholar
McKenzie, J. The Architecture of Petra. Oxford U. P., 1990.Search in Google Scholar
Mittag, P. Antiochos IV. Epiphanes. Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 2006.10.1524/9783050048499Search in Google Scholar
Meshorer, Y. Ancient Jewish Coinage, Vol. 1. New York: Amphora, 1982. Search in Google Scholar
Noam, V. Megillat Ta’anit. Jerusalem: Yad Ben-Zvi, 2003 [in Hebrew].Search in Google Scholar
Nora, P. “Between memory and history: les lieux de mémoire.” Representations 26 (1989): 7–24.10.2307/2928520Search in Google Scholar
Nora, P., editor. Realms of Memory. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1998. Search in Google Scholar
Ogden, D. The Legend of Seleucus. Cambridge: Cambridge U. P., 2017. 10.1017/9781316691236Search in Google Scholar
Peleg-Barkat, O. and R. Chachy. “The architectural decoration of the mausoleum.” In Herodium Final Reports of the 1972–2010 Excavations Directed by Ehud Netzer. Volume I, edited by R. Porat, R. Chachy and Y. Kalman, 314–348. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 2015.Search in Google Scholar
Piotrkowski, M. Priests in Exile. Berlin: de Gruyter, 2019.10.1515/9783110593358Search in Google Scholar
Ramsay, E. “The diplomacy of Seleukid women: Apama and Stratonike.” In Coşkun and McAuley 2016, 87–104.Search in Google Scholar
Regev, E. “Family burial, family structure, and the urbanization of Herodian Jerusalem.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 136 (2004): 109–131.10.1179/003103204x4058Search in Google Scholar
Richardson, S. “Down with “legitimacy”: on “validity” and narrative in royal tales.” In Tales of Royalty, edited by E. Wagner-Durand and J. Linke, 243–260. Berlin: de Gruyter, 2020. Search in Google Scholar
Ryholt, K. “A demotic version of Nectanebo’s Dream (P. Carlsberg 562).” ZPE 122 (1998): 197–208.Search in Google Scholar
Ryholt, K. “Nectanebo’s dream or the prophecy of Petesis.” In Blasius and Schipper 2002, 221–241. Search in Google Scholar
Ryholt, K. “The Assyrian invasion of Egypt in Egyptian literary tradition. A survey of narrative source material.” In Assyria and Beyond, edited by J. Dercksen, 483–510. Leiden: Nederlands Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten, 2004. Search in Google Scholar
Schwartz, D. 2 Maccabees. Berlin: de Gruyter, 2008.10.1515/9783110211207Search in Google Scholar
Spiegel, G. “Memory and history: liturgical time and historical time.” History and Theory 41 (2002): 149–162. 10.1111/0018-2656.00196Search in Google Scholar
Stoneman, R. Il romano di Alessandro. Bologna: Fondazione Lorenzo Valla; Mondadori, 2007. Search in Google Scholar
Strootman, R. Courts and Elites in the Hellenistic Empires. Edinburgh: Edinburgh U. P., 2014.10.1515/9780748691272Search in Google Scholar
Thompson, D. “Ptolemaios and the ‘Lighthouse’: Greek culture in the Memphite serapeum.” PCPS 33 (1987): 105–121.10.1017/S0068673500004958Search in Google Scholar
Venit, M. Monumental Tombs of Ancient Alexandria. Cambridge U. P., 2002.Search in Google Scholar
Waywall, G. and A. Berlin. “Monumental tombs: from Maussollos to the Maccabees (how would the Maccabean Tomb at Modi’in have looked like?)” Biblical Archaeology Review 33 (2007): 54–65.Search in Google Scholar
Webb, R. Ekphrasis, Imagination and Persuasion in Ancient Rhetorical Theory and Practice. Ashgate: Berlington, 2009.Search in Google Scholar
Wilker, J. “A dynasty without women? The Hasmoneans between Jewish traditions and Hellenistic influence.” In Coşkun and McAuley 2016, 231–252.Search in Google Scholar
Zeitlin, S. “Megillat Taanit as a source for Jewish chronology and history in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.” Jewish Quarterly Review 10 (1919–1920): 237–290.10.2307/1451411Search in Google Scholar
© 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
