The “Description of the Times” by Mor Michael the Great (1126-1199)
A Study on its Historical and its Historiographical Context
By (author) D. Weltecke
This is the first in-depth study of the largest medieval Christian chronicle, written by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Michael (1126-1199). The codex unicus from 1598, along with remarks made by scribes and by the author himself, is used to reconstruct the original layout of the chronicle. The study compares the chronicle with works that share its form and sources to reveal Michael’s intentions, particularly the (lost) chronicles by Jacob of Edessa (633-708), Patriarch Dionysius of Tel-Mahre (772-834) and the chronicle by Maphrian Bar ‘Ebroyo (1226-1286). Michael studied the history of the world throughout his entire adult life. There is hardly any other medieval Christian chronicler in the West or East who reflected on his method to such an extent. The result was an intricate historical argument as part of the historico-theological disputes of his time. Michael documented a history in which the Suryoye had a place rooted in the secular empires of the Ancient Near East, in their Patriarchal succession and in the heavenly kingdom of the Anointed One.
This is the first in-depth study of the largest medieval Christian chronicle, written by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Michael (1126-1199). The codex unicus from 1598, along with remarks made by scribes and by the author himself, is used to reconstruct the original layout of the chronicle. The study compares the chronicle with works that share its form and sources to reveal Michael’s intentions, particularly the (lost) chronicles by Jacob of Edessa (633-708), Patriarch Dionysius of Tel-Mahre (772-834) and the chronicle by Maphrian Bar ‘Ebroyo (1226-1286). Michael studied the history of the world throughout his entire adult life. There is hardly any other medieval Christian chronicler in the West or East who reflected on his method to such an extent. The result was an intricate historical argument as part of the historico-theological disputes of his time. Michael documented a history in which the Suryoye had a place rooted in the secular empires of the Ancient Near East, in their Patriarchal succession and in the heavenly kingdom of the Anointed One.
- By (author) D. Weltecke
"Overall, this is a masterful update to a work that has been a standard in the field of medieval historiography for nearly two decades. In this new English translation and revision, readers will find a familiar reference work, though one that has been updated to reflect the tremendous advances in the field over the intervening twenty years." Loopstra, Jonathan, Church History, July 29, 2022
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Other Titles in this Series
Syriac in its Multi-cultural Context
First International Syriac Studies Symposium, Mardin Artuklu University, Institute of Living Languages, 20-22 April 2012, Mardin
Volume 23
Syriac Encounters
Papers from the Sixth North American Syriac Symposium, Duke University, 26-29 June 2011
Volume 20
Scribes and Scriptures
The Church of the East in the Eastern Ottoman Provinces (1500-1850)
Volume 21
Tradition and Innovation in Late- and Postbyzantine Liturgical Chant II
Proceedings of the Congress held at Hernen Castle, the Netherlands, 30 October - 3 November 2008
Volume 17
Tradition and Innovation in Late- and Postbyzantine Liturgical Chant
Acta of the Congress Held at Hernen Castle, the Netherlands, in April 2005
Volume 8
Studies on the Liturgies of the Christian East
Selected Papers from the Third International Congress of the Society of Oriental Liturgy, Volos, May 26-30, 2010
Volume 18
Aesthetics as a Religious Factor in Eastern and Western Christianity
Selected Papers of the International Conference Held at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, in June 2004
Volume 6
Rites and Rituals of the Christian East
Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of the Society of Oriental Liturgy, Lebanon, 10-15 July, 2012
Volume 22
Christliche Araber vor dem Islam
Verbreitung und konfessionelle Zugehörigkeit. Eine Hinführung
Volume 7
Heretics and Heresies in the Ancient Church and in Eastern Christianity
Studies in Honour of Adelbert Davids
Volume 10
Studies in Oriental Liturgy
Proceedings of the Fifth International Congress of the Society of Oriental Liturgy, New York, 10-15 June 2014
Volume 28
Inquiries into Eastern Christian Worship
Selected Papers of the Second International Congress of the Society of Oriental Liturgies, Rome, 17-21 September 2008
Volume 12
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