Jason of Cyrene (Greek: Ἰάσων κυρήναιος) was a Hellenistic Jew who lived about 100 BC and wrote a history of the times of the Maccabees down to the victory over Nicanor (175-161 BC). This work is said to have been in five books and formed the basis of the present 2 Maccabees. See 2 Maccabees 2:19-32., especially:
“And all such things as have been comprised in five books by Jason of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book.” —2 Maccabees 2:24The original work is lost, and known only in the epitome made by the author of 2 Maccabees. The author of 2 Maccabees has confessedly exercised much freedom. Not only was Jason's work abridged, but also added to, and probably altered.