I. Name

Nanēa is the goddess in whose temple Antiochus IV Epiphanes was killed by the priests according to one tradition about his obscure death, the letter to Aristobulus, 2 Macc. 1.13 (the fullest discussion remains M. Holleaux, REA 18 (1916) 77–102; cf B. Z. Wacholder, HUCA 49 [1978] 89–133; criticisms: J. M. Goldstein, II Maccabees [AB 41A; New York 1983] 163). Her name is only mentioned here; her temple had the name Naneion (v 15). This happened in 164 bce in ‘Persis’, actually Elymaïs, as is clear from…