A History of Martyrdom

What is martyrdom-the concept of dying voluntarily for religious convictions-and how has it evolved within and between the Abrahamic faiths from antiquity to the present? Shmuel Shepkaru's study focuses on the phraseology, practice, and purposes of martyrdom as described by martyrs and in martyrologies. He demonstrates that, following their formative periods, these three aspects continued to develop, taking on new meanings, behaviors, and functions. Major catalysts for these changes across the three faiths include both local and 'global' events, ranging from the conflicts between Christendom and the rise of Islam in the Middle Ages, to the emergence of nationalism and colonialism in the modern era. Shepkaru illustrates how each faith relates the new to the old, and examines the complex positive and negative interactions-and counterreactions-that continue to shape their concepts of self-sacrifice. Balancing social and theological history, he considers spiritual, cultural, political, local, regional, and global factors, along with convergence and divergence in ideology, narration, and practice.