The Talmudic evidence arguably raises the question whether the fathers were (still) in the picture. The rabbis are referred to using matronymics routinely, rather than just in isolated instances. In one case the mother (Martha) is featured prominently in a story about her son, and to my knowledge the son's father is never mentioned at all, there or elsewhere in the Talmud.Irish1975 wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2019 12:22 pmInteresting. Any idea what the reason or context might be for such cases, where matronymic is given instead of patronymic?Nathan wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2019 12:12 pm Talmudic literature knows several rabbis who used the matronymic "son of Martha," as well one called "Isaac son of Maryon." Also, the late ancient Jewish inscriptions from Beth She'arim refer to a "Justus son of Sappho," while the same from Rome refer to an "Euphranticus son of Veriana."
The inscription from Rome says only "Here lies Euphranticus son of Veriana," which suggested to the inscription's editor that "Veriana is likely to be the commemorator here (hence the use of the matronymic)." In my mind that would again call into question the father's vital status.
On the other hand, the use of the matronymic in the Beth She'arim inscription is probably mostly for aesthetic effect. It is paired with a reference to the father ("son of Leontius/Justus son of Sappho"), and according to the editor the whole inscription is under the influence of Homeric verse.