The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Church, Alfred John (1829–1912); Seeley, Richmond.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times" by Alfred J. Church and Richmond Seeley is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the tumultuous period of the Maccabean revolt, focusing on the struggles of the Jewish people against Hellenistic influences and oppression. The narrative follows key figures, particularly Judas Maccabee and his brothers, who lead the charge to restore and preserve the Jewish faith during a time of great turmoil. At the start of the novel, the setting shifts to Jerusalem in 174 B.C., where a festival takes place under the shadow of a newly built Greek Circus—symbolizing the cultural encroachment that threatens the Jewish way of life. The high priest, Jason, is portrayed as increasingly Greek in behavior and attire, reflecting a broader Hellenization of Jewish society. In a conversation with a Greek companion, Jason reveals his complete embrace of Greek culture, rejecting traditional Jewish customs. The chapter culminates in a tragic familial moment when Jason's nephew, a young wrestler, falls gravely ill after performing in the Greek games, prompting the high priest to confront his own moral failures as he attempts to comfort his dying nephew amidst his conflicting identities. This opening sets the stage for exploring themes of identity, faith, and resistance against cultural domination as the characters navigate the complexities of their time.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Hammer: A Story of the Maccabean Times
- Author credits: Church, Alfred John (1829–1912); Seeley, Richmond
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Jewish fiction
- Jews -- History -- To 70 A.D. -- Fiction
- Maccabees -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Historical Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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