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Title: Die Deutung der Weltgeschichte in der Langform der Apokalypse des Thomas (Codex Palatinus: §§ 2-10)
Author(s): NICKLAS, Tobias , GEIGENFEIND, Matthias , STETTNER, Johannes
Journal: Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses
Volume: 94    Issue: 2   Date: 2018   
Pages: 257-274
DOI: 10.2143/ETL.94.2.3284879

Abstract :
The article offers the Latin text plus a first German translation and analysis of the long version of the Latin Apocalypse of Thomas (§§ 2-10 in Codex Palatinus). This widely neglected text consists of a mixture of vaticinia ex eventu and motifs common to apocalyptic descriptions of history. Even though it describes times of chaos and disorder, it does not clearly mirror the idea of a one-dimensional degeneration of world, time and history. While earlier authors attribute it to Priscillianist and/or Manichaean circles, the present authors argue that it was written from the perspective of Nicaeno-Constantinopolitan 'orthodoxy'. A few quite clear allusions to historical events in the fourth and fifth centuries allow to date it between the years 430 and (probably) 450 CE.

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