Preface Part 1: Setting the Stage 1 Introduction 1 The Problem of Jewish Martyrdom 2 'Martyrdom' and 'Noble Death': Definitions, Motifs and Technical Vocabulary 3 History and Memory 4 Book Plan2 Between History and Memory 1 Introduction 2 Martyrdom and Persecution in the Maccabean Books 3 'The Time of Persecution' in Rabbinic Memory 4 Conclusion3 The Sanctification of God's Name in Rabbinic Traditions 1 'Sanctification of the Name' in Early Martyrological Texts 2 Early Non-Martyrological Material 3 Shifts of Emphasis in the Amoraic Period Part 2: Narratives 4 Martyrdom in Second and Fourth Maccabees 1 Introduction 2 2 Maccabees 3 4 Maccabees 4 Conclusion5 Jewish Noble Death in Second Temple Literature 1 Introduction 2 The Book of Daniel 3 1 Maccabees 4 Philo 5 Assumption of Moses 6 New Testament 7 Josephus 8 Lives of the Prophets 9 Conclusion6 The Development of Rabbinic Martyr Traditions 1 R. Akiva 2 R. Hanina ben Teradion 3 R. Yishmael and R. Shimon 4 R. Yehuda ben Bava 5 Other Rabbis Whose Death Is Not Reported in Talmudic Sources 6 Conclusion7 Non-Rabbinic Martyrs in Rabbinic Literature 1 Pappus and Lulianus 2 The Mother and the Seven Sons 3 Anonymous Victims of the 'Time of Persecution' 4 Apostate and Gentile Martyrs: Those Who Acquire Their World in One Hour Part 3: Themes 8 Religion and Politics: The Martyrs as Heroes of the Jewish People 1 Introduction 2 The Martyrs' Motivations: Religion and Politics 3 The Martyrs and Razis as Model Citizens of the Jewish State 4 The Martyrs as Exemplary Figures Characterizing the Jewish People 5 Defeating the King: The Triumph of the Jewish Way of Life 6 Conclusion9 Beneficial Death and Posthumous Reward in Second Temple Literature 1 Beneficial Death 2 Vindication 3 Conclusion10 The Justification of Violent Death in Rabbinic Literature: From Theodicy to Salvific Death 1 The Problem of Theodicy 2 Death as Atonement for One's Own Sins 3 Soteriological Perspectives in Early Martyr Legends 4 The Atoning Effect of the Death of the Righteous 5 Conclusion: Salvific Death in a Comparative Perspective11 Rabbinic and Early Christian Perspectives on Martyrdom: Differences and Similarities 1 Narratives 2 Martyrdom as Testimony 3 Theodicy and Eternal Reward 4 Motivations 5 An End to Itself? 6 Social Ties 7 Conclusion Conclusion: The Transformation of Jewish Martyrdom within Changing Contexts Bibliography Index.