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Apocalyptic Expressions in the Early Islamic World

Apocalyptic Expressions in the Early Islamic World APOCALYPTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE EARLY ISLAMIC WORLD MICHAEL G. MORONY In the usual circular way apocalyptic literature tends to be defined in terms of recurring elements in works that arc considered to be apocalypses.' Mod- ern scholarship has been largely concerned with the origin(s) of the genre, the possibility of cross cultural "influences," and the use of historical refer- ences in such texts in order to date them. By the early centuries of the com- mon era the original meaning of apocalypsis as an experience of revelatory spiritual ascension had begun to be overlaid and largely replaced by the eschatological content of the message, which is generally the way "apoca- lypse" is understood and used today.2 The passage of the soul through the spheres and an expectation that the Roman Empire would last until the last days were added during Late Antiquity. In many ways the renewed spate of apocalyptic literature dating from early Islamic times appears to be more "historical" in nature relating to and perhaps occasioned by contemporary events and circumstances beginning with the gTeat war between the Byzantines and Sasanians in the early seventh century' and continuing with the events and aftermath of the early http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Medieval Encounters Brill

Apocalyptic Expressions in the Early Islamic World

Morony, Michael G.
Medieval Encounters , Volume 4 (3): 175 – Jan 1, 1998
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Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 1998 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
1380-7854
eISSN
1570-0674
DOI
10.1163/157006798X00098
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

APOCALYPTIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE EARLY ISLAMIC WORLD MICHAEL G. MORONY In the usual circular way apocalyptic literature tends to be defined in terms of recurring elements in works that arc considered to be apocalypses.' Mod- ern scholarship has been largely concerned with the origin(s) of the genre, the possibility of cross cultural "influences," and the use of historical refer- ences in such texts in order to date them. By the early centuries of the com- mon era the original meaning of apocalypsis as an experience of revelatory spiritual ascension had begun to be overlaid and largely replaced by the eschatological content of the message, which is generally the way "apoca- lypse" is understood and used today.2 The passage of the soul through the spheres and an expectation that the Roman Empire would last until the last days were added during Late Antiquity. In many ways the renewed spate of apocalyptic literature dating from early Islamic times appears to be more "historical" in nature relating to and perhaps occasioned by contemporary events and circumstances beginning with the gTeat war between the Byzantines and Sasanians in the early seventh century' and continuing with the events and aftermath of the early

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Medieval Encounters – Brill

Published: Jan 1, 1998

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