Mithras Liturgy
The Mithras Liturgy is the name given to one of the texts found in one of the Greek Magical Papyri, the so-called "Great Magical Book",[1] numbered PGM IV, on lines 475-834.[2] and was given the title "Mithras Liturgy" by its first translator, Albrecht Dieterich, [3] because one of the deities invoked is Helios Mithras (Ἥλιοϲ Μίθραϲ)[4], but scholars disagree on whether the identification is genuine.
The codex containing the text (Paris Bibliotheque Nationale Suppl. gr. 574) was acquired by the French National library in 1857 and has been dated to the early fourth century AD. The first editor, Albrecht Dieterich, proposed that the text may originally have been composed as early as 100–150 AD.[5]
The name "the Mithras liturgy" was given to it by Dieterich, but other scholas have thought differently.[6][7][8][9][10]
Other texts in PGM IV
Lines 1-25 are a spell calling on Egyptian and Jewish powers in order to obtain information. Lines 1127-64 are a spell for exorcising a demon, using Coptic words of Christian origin, with instructions for preparing an amulet. Lines 1716-1870 are headed "Sword of Dardanos" and is a love spell.
References
- ^ K. Preisendanz, vol. 1, vii: "Das Große Zauberbuch der Bibliotheque Nationale Paris, Suppl. grec. 574, ein Sammelwerk von 3274 Zeilen auf 18 Doppelblättern, von der Kaiserl. Bibliothek 1857 aus der Collection Anastasi erworben..."
- ^ See the Greek text with German translation in Albrecht Dieterich, Eine Mithrasliturgie, 2nd edition, pp 1-2
- ^ Albrecht Dieterich, Eine Mithrasliturgie, Leipzig: Teubner, 2nd enlarged edn. 1910
- ^ Meyer, Marvin (2006). "The Mithras Liturgy". The historical Jesus in context. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 180. ISBN 0-691-00991-0.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|editors=ignored (|editor=suggested) (help). The reference is on line 482. - ^ Meyer, Marvin (2006). "The Mithras Liturgy". The historical Jesus in context. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 182. ISBN 0-691-00991-0. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|editors=ignored (|editor=suggested) (help) - ^ John Gee, review of Hans Dieter Betz, The "Mithras Liturgy": Text, Translation and Commentary, in Review of Biblical Literature (2005).
- ^ Johan Thom, review of Hans Dieter Betz, The "Mithras Liturgy": Text, Translation and Commentary, in Review of Biblical Literature (2006).
- ^ The "Mithras Liturgy":Text, Translation and Commentary (Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2003).
- ^ Richard Gordon, "Probably Not Mithras", The Classical Review Vol. 55, No. 1 (March 2005) pp. 99-100.
- ^ Meyer, Marvin (2006). "The Mithras Liturgy". The historical Jesus in context. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. p. 182. ISBN 0-691-00991-0.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|editors=ignored (|editor=suggested) (help)
- S. Eitrem, Les Papyrus magiques grecs de Paris (1923).
External links
- Marvin Meyer, The Mithras Liturgy - English translation.