The Last Emperor Topos in the ‘Syriac Apocalyptic Text of Pseudo Methodios’

Abstract

The Pseudo Methodios Syriac Apocalyptic Text, composed in the 7th century, constitutes a foundational work in the corpus of Syriac eschatological and apocalyptic literature. This text, which offers a series of prophecies concerning the dynamics that lead humanity toward the apocalypse and the actualization of the end times, reflects the responses of the Syriac community to the incorporation of new elements into their symbolic and holistic universe as a consequence of Islamic conquests. Among these responses, the concept of the Last Emperor—envisioned as the ruler who will unite complacent Christians under a single authority just before the advent of the Messiah—emerges as particularly significant. This article seeks to elucidate the reasons for the creation of this topos and its position within the collective memory of Syriac Christians by analyzing the sacred attributes ascribed to this figure and the roles assigned to him in the period immediately preceding the Messiah's arrival.

Keywords

• apocalypticism
• eschatology
• Pseudo Methodios
• last emperor topos

‘Pseudo Methodios Süryanice Apokaliptik Metni’nde Son İmparator Toposu

Abstract

Süryanice Apokaliptik Metin, 7. yüzyılda kaleme alınmış olup, Süryanice eskatoloji ve apokaliptisizm literatürünün temel taşlarından biri olarak kabul edilen son derece önemli bir eserdir. İnsanoğlunu kıyamete götüren dinamiklere ve kıyametin gerçekleşmesine dair birtakım kehanetler sunan bu metin, bir bakıma İslam fetihleri neticesinde kendilerine has sembolik ve bütüncül evrenlerine yeni ögeler katan Süryanilerin bu ögelere karşı geliştirdikleri tepkileri yansıtmaktadır. Söz konusu tepkiler arasında en önemlisi, rehavete kapılan Hıristiyanları Mesih’in gelişinden önce tek bir çatı altında toplayacak ve onları yönetmeye muvaffak olacak "son imparator" toposudur. Bu makale, "son imparator" toposuna atfedilen kutsal unsurlar ile Mesih’in gelişinden önce bu toposa yüklenen görevleri incelemeyi ve böylece kavramın oluşum nedenleri ile Süryani Hıristiyanlarının kolektif belleğindeki yerini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Pseudo Methodios
• Apokaliptisizm
• Eskatoloji
• Son imparator toposu

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