The scent of the king: Notes on use and subversion of a Hellenistic topos in the account of Antiochus IV’s death (2 Macc 9)

Abstract

This article discusses the narrative of Antiochus IV’s death in 2 Maccabees 9, showing how, alongside themes and motifs from the biblical tradition, it draws its imagery from a Hellenistic topos based on the connection between royal power and aromas. Through the subversion of categories functional in celebrating a ruler’s greatness, such as the perfumed body or the great availability of aromata, it will be seen how the narrative in 2 Macc 9 portraying Antiochus’ decaying body characterized by intolerable stench deconstructs the image of the Seleucid by depicting him in contrast to idealized representations of great kings such as Alexander the Great, whose perfumed body remains immaculate even after death.