Theologie
Charles-Antoine Fogielman
Tours of Hell in the Judeo-Christian and Zoroastrian Traditions
The Apocalypse of Peter and the Book of Ardā Wīrāz
Jahrgang 14 (2023) / Heft 3,
S. 360-376 (17)
Publiziert 27.09.2023
The Apocalypses of Peter and of Paul, as well as the Acts of Thomas, feature a visit of the underworld by their protagonist. The parallel has long been noted with the Book of Ardā Wīrāz; contrary to what has often been claimed, however, the origin of this trope can be traced in Iranian literature back to the Achaemenid period, whereas it only appears in Judeo-Christian literature at a time when Zoroastrian theological themes were exerting a discernible influence on it.