The 4 beasts of daniel

[RMDY]

Can anyone provide me with any information from secular or peer-reviewed sources that ties the four beasts of the book of daniel to their specific empires? Thanks.

 

[texastig]

I don't think you'll find any secular sources since secular people don't believe in the Bible.
The only thing that I can think of is a commentary written by a believer that other believers have checked.

 

[revanneosl]

The volume on the Book of Daniel from the "Interpretation" series of commentaries by W. Sibley Towner, ISBN 0-8042-3122-2, follows the majority opinion among scholars:

Lion = golden head from Ch. 2 = neo-Babylonian Empire
Bear = silver chest & arms from Ch. 2 = Median Kingdom
Leopard = bronze belly from Ch 2 = Persian Empire
Terrible beast = legs & feet of iron & clay from Ch. 2 = Greek Empire

 

[revanneosl]

I don't think you'll find any secular sources since secular people don't believe in the Bible.
The only thing that I can think of is a commentary written by a believer that other believers have checked.

Secular scholars do study the Bible as an important piece of ancient near Eastern literature.

Also, Christian biblical scholars make use of secular analytical methods in their work, such as source criticism, form criticism, historical criticism, redaction criticism, and indeed the full panoply of tools in the literary analysis toolbox.