Apocalypse. An Alexandrian World Chronicle (Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library) - Hardcover

Pseudo-Methodius

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674053079 ISBN 13: 9780674053076

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2012

Synopsis

This volume contains two texts that crossed the Mediterranean in Late Antiquity. The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius was one of the first works composed in response to the Arab invasions and the establishment of the Muslim empire in the seventh century. In a matter of decades, it was translated from its original Syriac into Greek and from Greek into Latin. (Both the Greek and Latin texts are presented here.) The Apocalypse enjoyed immense popularity throughout the Middle Ages, informing expectations of the end of the world, responses to strange and exotic invaders like the Mongols and Turks, and even the legendary versions of the life of Alexander the Great. An Alexandrian World Chronicle (Excerpta Latina Barbari) was considered important by no less a humanist than Joseph Scaliger. He recognized it as a representative of an early stage in the Christian chronicle tradition that would dominate medieval historiography. The original Greek text may have been a diplomatic gift from the court of Justinian to a potential ally among Frankish royalty, translated two centuries later by the Franks themselves in their efforts to convert the pagan Saxons. In addition to presenting a universal chronicle with a comprehensive ethnography and geography, the Excerpta offer a Euhemeristic narrative of the gods and another account of Alexander.

About this title

About the Author:

Benjamin Garstad is Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Humanities, Grant MacEwan University.

Review:

Photo by Roxy Garstad

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0674053079
• ISBN 13: 9780674053076
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 464