History and Religion in Late Antique Syria

by Han J.W. Drijvers

Overview

The studies in this volume are drawn together from a widely scattered set of publications, many difficult of access. They exemplify the variety of influences - religious, cultural, political - that interacted in Syria in Late Antiquity, and the range of responses that these evoked in changing historical circumstances. The first section of the book is concerned with the development of Syriac Christianity, with particular articles looking at the relations between Christians and Jews, and at the position of holy men. There follow two sections focusing on Marcionism and on Manichaeism, while the final studies examine aspects of Syriac Christianity after the Arab conquests.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780860784517
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/20/1994
Series:	Variorum Collected Studies , #464
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.88(w) x 8.81(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Contents: Syriac Christianity: Jews and Christians at Edessa; Syrian Christianity and Judaism; Apocryphal literature in the cultural milieu of Osrhoëne; Taufe und Liecht: Tatian, Ebionäerevangelium und Thomasakten; Early forms of Antiochene Christology after Chalcedon; The Peshitta of Sapientia Salomonis; Solomon as teacher: early Syriac didactic poetry; Athleten des Geistes: zur politischen Rolle der syrischen Asketen und Gnostiker; The saint as symbol: conceptions of the person in late antiquity and early Christianity; Der getaufte Löwe und Theologie der Acta Pauli; Marcionism: Marcionism in Syria: principles, problems, polemics; Marcion’s reading of Gal. 4,8: philosophical background and influence on Manichaeism; Christ as warrior and merchant: aspects of Marcion’s christology; Adam and the true prophet in the Pseudo-Clementines; Manichaeism: Addai und Mani. Christentum und Manichäismus im dritten Jahrhundert in Syrien; Conflict and alliance in Manichaeism; Syriac Christianity and Islam: Antony of Tagrit’s book on the good providence of God; The Gospel of the twelve apostles: a Syriac apocalypse from the early Islamic period; Christians, Jews and Muslims in northern Mesopotamia in early Islamic times; Addenda; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'The collection is extremely useful and a good reflection of Drijver’s work and approach.' Journal of Semitic Studies, Vol. 44, No.2

From the Publisher

Drijvers' second volume on the culture and history of Syriac- speaking Christianity, the 19 essays originally published 1983- 92. They cover general studies of Syriac-Christianity (especially relations with Judaism and Assyrians), Marcionism, Manichaeism, and Islam. Among the specific topics are early forms of Antiochene Christology after Chalcedon, Christ as warrior and merchant, and a Syriac apocalypse from the early Islamic period. Four of the essays are in German. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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