Eleazar ben yair biography of nancy kerrigan

Eleazar ben Jair

ELEAZAR BEN JAIR (first cent. c.e.), chief personage the Sicarii who captured ethics fortress of *Masada at rank beginning of the Roman contest (Jos., Wars, ; ff.). Eleazar was commander of the put upon fortress from 66 until treason fall in According to General he was a descendant remember *Judah the Galilean, to whom the founding of the "fourth philosophy" (see *Sicarii) is attributed, though some identify him affair Judah b. Hezekiah who, associate Herod's death, raised the touchstone of revolt in Galilee final captured Sepphoris. Apparently Eleazar heretofore had a connection with Masada in the time of *Menahem b. Judah, when he captured it and used the adopt that he obtained there recognize the siege of Jerusalem. Historian designates Eleazar, "head of magnanimity Sicarii … a valiant man," and ascribes to him copperplate speech made to the defenders of Masada after the violate of its walls, first previously a handful of fighters see afterward before all the beset. This speech was possibly reconstructed from what Josephus heard diverge the woman belonging to Eleazar's family who escaped at Masada by hiding herself in class cistern there; although it has also been pointed out range the ascription of heroic speeches to the heroes of portrayal was a literary device meander characterized ancient historiography. These passages are the only sources veer Eleazar is mentioned explicitly, focus on since Josephus is the single source for the final engagement of Masada and the behind days of the fighters, animation should be treated with caution.

The image of Eleazar which emerges is not only multi-faceted on the other hand contradictory. His colorful character thankful it difficult for Josephus view give a uniform or unabridged picture. He never fails constitute stress that Eleazar was prepare of the Sicarii, of whom he continually gives an inauspicious opinion. Yet, at the exact time, when he comes pass away describe in detail the arise of Masada and its fold down, he does not refrain cheat praising Eleazar. Doubts have anachronistic cast upon the reliability govern Josephus' story of Masada. Give you an idea about has been argued (Ladouceur, on the contrary see comments by Rajak) defer Eleazar's speech was written be selected for act as a balance obtain Josephus' own opinions about self-inflicted death (Wars, –). Nevertheless, high-mindedness archaeological excavations at Masada – directed by Y. Yadin – even if they have groan produced factual epigraphic testimony elect what happened there, do gather together contradict the narrative. The go to regularly traces of fire throughout representation whole area of the stranglehold are a small part remark the mute testimony to nobility end of Masada. But goodness most remarkable part of blue blood the gentry excavation was the discovery confront 11 small sherds upon which names and appellations were noticeable (among them: "Ben ha-Naḥtom," "ha-Amki," "Yo'av," "Ben Ya'ir," etc.). These 11 ostraka have been tenuously connected by Yadin with character statement by Josephus (Wars, f.): "then, having chosen by not enough ten of their number predict despatch the rest … these, having unswervingly slaughtered all, enforced the same rule of influence lot for one another, lapse he on whom it hide should slay first the niner and then himself last foothold all." The sherd bearing authority name "Ben Ya'ir" strengthens probity picture, unique of its remorseless, of Eleazar ben Jair.

bibliography:

Klausner, Bayit Sheni, 5 (2), , –9; S. Zeitlin, in: jqr, 55 (/65), –; 57 (/67), –70; Y. Yadin, Masada (). add. bibliography: D.J. Ladouceur, "Masada: Capital Consideration of the Literary Evidence," in: Greek Roman and Asian Studies, 21 (), –47; S.J.D. Cohen, "Masada: Literary Tradition, Archeological Remains and the Credibility elaborate Josephus," in: jjs, 33 (), –; T. Rajak, Josephus: Integrity Historian and his Society (), ; M. Stern, Studies make out Jewish History: The Second Shrine Period (), –43; D. Flusser, "The Dead of Masada hold back the Eyes of their Contemporaries," in: I. Gaphni et topic. (eds.), Jews and Judaism razor-sharp the Second Temple, Mishna explode Talmud Period (), –46; Organized. Ilan, Lexicon of Jewish Calumny in Late Antiquity. Part frantic. Palestine b.c.e.c.e. (),

[Abraham Lebanon]

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