In his account, Josephus Flavius notes that Mary, the daughter of Eleazar from the village of Beth-Ezob, known for her noble heritage and affluence, had sought refuge in Jerusalem amidst the siege. However, her wealth had long been pillaged by ruthless tyrants, and the little food and jewelry she had remaining were seized daily by soldiers. Overcome by despair, she often attempted to incite the robbers against her with pleas and curses. When none would take her life out of spite or sympathy, and her fruitless searches for sustenance for others wore her down, she succumbed to a relentless hunger that gnawed at her very bones, compounded by an overwhelming anger. In the depths of her torment, she made the unthinkable choice: she took her infant and lamented, “Poor child! In this time of war, famine, and strife, who can I nourish you for? The Romans promise life, but enslave us; there is famine even before slavery, and the rebels are worse than both. Therefore, become my sustenance, a bitter offering for the rebels, and a fable that the Jews lack amidst their woes.” With these words, she took her child’s life, roasted him, and consumed half, covering the remainder.
It was not long before the rebels arrived, drawn by the horrid smell of roasting flesh, and began to threaten her with death unless she relinquished her meal. “I have saved a good portion for you,” she said, exposing the remaining half of her child. A wave of shock and horror swept over them, leaving them momentarily stunned. She urged, “This is my own flesh, the creation of my hands. Eat, for I have also partaken. Do not act softer than a woman or more compassionate than a mother. What conscience holds you back? Are you appalled by my sacrifice? If you refuse, I shall consume the rest myself, just as I have the first half.” Trembling with fear, the robbers retreated; the horror was too much for them, so they resignedly left the meal for her. As news of this ghastly act spread throughout the city, a collective shudder engulfed the populace, each one envisioning the atrocity as if it were their own. The starving citizens, in their suffering, began to long for death, envying those who had already passed into eternity, untouched by such calamity.
THEOSIS