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The Life of the Syrian Saint Barsauma

Eulogy of a Hero of the Resistance to the Council of Chalcedon
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Life of the Syrian Saint Barsauma is a compelling translation of an ancient Syriac text that delves into the turbulent history of early Christianity in the Middle East. It recounts the life of the monk Barsauma, a figure viewed by some as a devout ascetic and by others as a religious extremist. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Council of Chalcedon, a pivotal event that irrevocably divided the Christian Church into Oriental Orthodox and Western branches.

This edition reveals previously unavailable details about the interactions among pagans, Jews, and Christians during this volatile period, highlighting the complex role of religious violence and ideology in shaping the region’s spiritual and political landscape.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in early Christian history, religious studies, Middle Eastern history, and those seeking to understand the roots of religious conflict in the ancient world.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Andrew N. Palmer’s vivid translation of the Syriac Life of Barsauma opens a fascinating window onto the ancient Middle East, seen through the life and actions of one of its most dramatic and ambiguous characters: the monk Barsauma, ascetic hero to some, religious terrorist to others.

The Life takes us into the eye of the storm that raged around Christian attempts to define the nature of Christ in the great Council of Chalcedon, the effect of which was to split the growing Church irrevocably, with the Oriental Orthodox on one side and Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic on the other.

Previously known only in extracts, this ancient text is now finally brought to readers in its entirety, casting dramatic new light on the relations among pagans, Jews, and Christians in the Holy Land and on the role of religious violence, real or imagined, in the mental world of a Middle East as shot through with conflict as it is today.

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  • The Life of the Syrian Saint Barsauma
    Andrew N. Palmer’s vivid translation of the Syriac Life of Barsauma opens a fascinating window onto the ancient Middle East, seen through the life and actions of one of its most dramatic and ambiguous characters: the monk Barsauma, ascetic hero to some, religious terrorist to others. The Life takes us into the eye of the storm that raged around Christian...
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    The Final Pagan Generation recounts the fascinating story of the lives and fortunes of the last Romans born before the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity. Edward J. Watts traces their experiences of living through the fourth century's dramatic religious and political changes, when heated confrontations saw the Christian establishment legislate against pagan practices as mobs attacked pagan holy sites and...
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520304178

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Illustration: 2 maps

Contributors:

  • Translated by Andrew N. Palmer

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 181g

Pages: 156

About the Author

Andrew N. Palmer studied Syriac at Mor Gabriel in Tur Abdin before writing his doctoral thesis on that monastery. He is the author of Monk and Mason on the Tigris Frontier: The Early History of Tur Abdin.


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