Essays in Christian Mythology: The Metamorphoses of Prester John

by Manuel João Ramos

Overview

Essays in Christian Mythology deals with Christian literature interpreted as myth. The work offers detailed analysis and anthropological interpretation of a body of Christian medieval texts, which confirm the existence of a mythological discourse based on the biblical narratives. Essays in Christian Mythology focuses on Prester John, an imaginary oriental sovereign fabled to have offered to establish an alliance with the West in order to liberate the Holy Land. This intriguing work reviews the symbolic dualism in medieval Christianity and the symbolic relations between Christ as heir of the Heavenly Kingdom and the Devil as the "Prince of this World." In addition, Essays explores the roots of renaissance Iberian discovery travels and their literary expressions in this medieval Christian-mythological discourse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761833888
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	03/28/2006
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.68(w) x 8.62(h) x 0.97(d)

About the Author

Manuel João Ramos is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the ISCTE, Lisbon. He received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from ISCTE, Lisbon. His previous publications and scholarly work focused primarily on Christian symbolism and visual anthropology.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Acknowledgements Chapter 2 Prologue Part 3 Part I: Chapter 1. Heuristic Problems: Reading is Believing; Chapter 2. Text and Context of the Letter of Prester John; Chapter 3. Wonders of Christian India; Chapter 4. The Patriarch, the King, and the River; Chapter 5. Part 4 Part II: Chapter 7. Do Kings Ever Die? Asian Travels; Chapter 8. Naked at the Gates of Eden; Chapter 9. A Presbyter and a Patriarch; Chapter 10. Rex, Sacerdos et Niger; Chapter 11. "Blinded by the Rays of the Roman Fai Part 5 Part III: Chapter 12. To See a Mirror and Die; Chapter 13. The King and the Beggar: An Incursion into the Apocrypha; Chapter 14. A Hymn That Fell From Heaven; Chapter 15. Of Doves and Serpents; Chapter 16. What is a Fallen An Part 6 Part IV: Chapter 17. The Brother of the "King's Son"; Chapter 18. The Devil in His Body; Chapter 19. ...And God Entered Hell; Chapter 20. The Cursed Death of Christ Part 7 Epilogue: Believing in Seeing; Final Note Chapter 8 Notes Chapter 9 Bibliography Chapter 10 Index

Editorial Reviews

[In] these Essays Manuel João Ramos brings us more than an innovative view of the legendary 'cycle of Prester John'; his stimulating book invites us to profoundly rethink the anthropological analysis of symbolism.

José Carlos Gomes da Silva

[In] these Essays Manuel João Ramos brings us more than an innovative view of the legendary 'cycle of Prester John'; his stimulating book invites us to profoundly rethink the anthropological analysis of symbolism.

José Carlos Gomes da Silva

[In] these Essays Manuel João Ramos brings us more than an innovative view of the legendary 'cycle of Prester John'; his stimulating book invites us to profoundly rethink the anthropological analysis of symbolism.--José Carlos Gomes da Silva, from the foreword

From the Publisher