Description

The homily "On the Succession of the Kings and the End of Times" attributed to bishop Methodius of Patara (died ca. 311) is one of the most influential non-biblical apocalyptic texts both in Eastern and in Western Christianity. Written about 692 in Iraq by a Syriac-speaking Christian, it was soon translated into Greek and Latin, and subsequently into many other languages in East and West. The present edition offers the first critical text based on all extant Syriac textual witnesses, including references to the forthcoming new edition of the oldest Greek and Latin recensions by W.J. Aerts and G.A.A. Kortekaas in the Subsidia of CSCO. The present volume also includes the facsimile edition of the text (difficult of access) in the Oriental manuscripts Mardin Orth. 368 and Mardin Orth. 891. The German translation is provided with a comprehensive apparatus of explanatory notes and preceded by and introductory essay discussing the historical, religious and literary aspects of this important text, which may be considered as one of the earliest Christian responses to the rise of Islam.