Apocalypse
Author
Faculty Advisor
Date
2012
Keywords
Pseudo-Methodius, Alexander the Great, Excerpta Latina Barbari, Alexandrian World Chronicle, mythological narrative, late antiquity, Middle Ages, Joseph Scaliger, end of the world
Abstract (summary)
This volume contains two texts that crossed the Mediterranean in Late Antiquity. The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius was one of the first works comĀposed 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 presenting a universal chronicle with a comprehensive ethnography and geography, the Excerpta offer a Euhemeristic narrative of the gods and another account of Alexander.
Publication Information
B. Garstad, ed. & trans. Pseudo-Methodius, Apocalypse; An Alexandrian World Chronicle (Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library, volume 14). Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2012.
DOI
Notes
Item Type
Book
Language
English
Rights
All Rights Reserved