Mariamne (name)

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Mariamne is a name frequently used in the Herodian royal house. In Greek it is spelled Μαριάμη (Mariame) by Josephus; in some editions of his work the second m is doubled (Mariamme). In later copies of those editions the spelling was dissimilated to its now most common form, Mariamne. In Hebrew, Mariamne is known as מִרְיָם, (Miriam), as in the traditional, Biblical name (see Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron); Mariamne is the Hellenized version of the Hebrew, as Koine Greek was a common language in the late Hasmonean era in Judea (together with Aramaic), where both Mariamnes lived.

For Gnostic readers Mariamne is also recognized as Mary Magdelene. François Bovon, professor of the history of religion at Harvard University has suggested based on his study of the Acts of Philip (which describes the apostle Philip as the brother of "Mariamne" or "Mariamme") that Mariamene, or Mariamne, was the actual name of Mary Magdalene. Mary/Mariam was a common name in 1st century Israel, however, not all Marys or Mariams would go by the name Mariamne. Nicknames were often used to distinguish between those with common names (Mary, Joseph, etc.).

Holders include:

• Mariamne (second wife of Herod), aka Mariamne I
• Mariamne (third wife of Herod), aka Mariamne II
• Mariamne III, sister of Herodias
• Mariamne (daughter of Herod Agrippa I), a daughter of Agrippa I.

See also Voltaire's play Mariamne and Augustin Nadal's rival play Mariamne.