Flesh-Eaters, Cave-Dwellers, and Eagles : Paradoxography in Acts Phil. 3

• While it is well known that the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles have similarities to ancient novels, it is less well understood how these imaginative stories make use of strange and unusual phenomena from around the world to characterize their heroes, provide intriguing predicaments, and add flair to their narratives. This paper analyzes the use of such paradoxographical material in the third Act of Philip (in the manuscript Codex Xenophōntos 32) where the apostle Thomas is said to have faced the violent flesh-eaters (τοὺς παλαμναίους τοὺς σαρκοφάγους), Matthew is said to have confronted the unmerciful cave-dwellers (τοὺς τρωγ­λο­δύτας καὶ ἀνηλεεῖς), and Philip experiences a powerful theophany in the form of  a talking eagle. The origins of such materials in ancient natural history and paradoxography is discussed, and the effects to which they are used in this particular story analyzed

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Filosofi, etik och religion -- Religionsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Philosophy, Ethics and Religion -- Religious Studies (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Bibelvetenskap, Nt

Biblical Studies, New testament

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)