In this volume, leading experts examine the life and thought of Bardaisan († 222) through a newly prepared bilingual Syriac-English edition of, and commentary on, the Book of the Law of Countries alongside the extant Greek fragments. These sources showcase Bardaisan's arguments on human intellect, free will, fate, astrology, cosmology, eschatology, and the concept of universal restoration.
This in-depth investigation of Bardaisan of Edessa and the Syriac
Book of the Laws of Countries, written by leading experts, explores Bardaisan's arguments on intellect, free will, nature, fate, anthropology, astrology, and eschatology. The introduction by Ilaria L.E. Ramelli examines his school and works, presents the
Book as
a Platonic dialogue
reflecting his thought, and analyses its arguments against »Gnosticism« and Marcionism. Following the edition, translation, and commentary, six essays present new research. The first two focus on Bardaisan's support for apokatastasis, highlight parallels with Origen, and examine their shared Middle Platonic framework. The remaining essays explore the work's historical and cultural context as well as its philosophical and astrological background. The final essay assesses Bardaisan's impact on late antique Christianity.
Table of contents:
Ilaria L.E. Ramelli: Introduction -
Ilaria L.E. Ramelli: Text, Translation and Commentary -
Ilaria L.E. Ramelli: Bardaisan, Apokatastasis, and the Rejection of Apocalypticism -
Ilaria L.E. Ramelli: Bardaisan, Origen, and Middle Platonism -
Kathleen E. McVey: Bardaisan and the
Book of the Laws of Countries: Their Historical and Cultural Context -
Maximilian Forschner: Bardaisan on Freedom and Fate: The Philosophical Background of the Treatise -
Aurelio Pérez Jiménez: Bardaisan and Astrology in Early Imperial Times -
Ute Possekel: Bardaisan's Influence on Late Antique Christianity -
Ilaria L.E. Ramelli: Eusebius' Greek Excerpts from Bardaisan
