Aretalogy

Aretalogy

Aretalogy is a form of sacred biography where a deity's attributes are listed, in the form of poem or text, in the first person. Often each line starts with the standard "I am …". Usually, aretalogies are self praising. They are found in the sacred texts of later Egypt, Mesopotamia and in Greco-Roman times. Aretalogies of Isis would be recited everyday by an Aretologist who would have to memorise a huge list of attributes which he/she would have to recite.(Priests and priestesses of Isis had equal rank in the temple.)

The aretalogies of ancient Egypt provide some the most complete information extant about their deities. [Lesko, Barbara S. (1999) "The Great Goddesses of Egypt" University of Oklahoma, Norman, pp. 196-199, ISBN 0-8061-3202-7 ] Aretalogies are found as early as the Coffin Texts. In a Ptolemeic aretalogy, Aset (Isis) says about herself:

I am Isis, ruler of every land. I was taught by Hermes (Thoth) and with Hermes devised letters, both hieroglyphic and demotic, that all might not be written with the same. I gave laws to mankind and ordained what no one can change. [ [http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/860002 "AncientWorlds:Rome:Cornelius:Cornellia:Aset Aretology" "The Ancient Worlds"] ]

Notes

References

* Hadas, Moses and Smith, Morton (1965) "Heroes and Gods: Spiritual Biographies in Antiquity" Harper & Row, New York, ISBN 0-8369-1880-0
* Smith, Morton (1971) "Prolegomena to a Discussion of Aretalogies, Divine Men, the Gospels, and Jesus" "Journal of Biblical Literature" 90: pp. 174–199
* Kee, Howard Clark (1973) "Aretalogy and Gospel" "Journal of Biblical Literature" 92: pp. 402–422
* Smith, Jonathan Z. (1975) "Good News Is No News: Aretalogy and Gospel" "in" Neusner, Jacob (ed.) (1975) "Christianity, Judaism and other Greco-Roman cults: studies for Morton Smith at sixty" Brill, Leiden, vol. 1, pp. 21–38, ISBN 90-04-04215-6


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • aretalogy — noun A form of sacred biography in which a deitys attributes are listed, in the form of poem or text, in the first person. See Also: aretological …   Wiktionary

  • aretalogy — In NT studies a narrative which is a recital of the qualities or virtues (Greek, aretai) of a worker of miracles, such as Jesus and pagan philosophers like Apollonius of Tyana (d. 98 CE), whose biography was written by Philostratus in the 3rd… …   Dictionary of the Bible

  • aretalogy — ar·e·tal·o·gy …   English syllables

  • aretalogy —   n. relation of wonderful deeds of a god or hero …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • aretalogy — ˌarəˈtaləjē noun ( es) Etymology: Greek aretalogia, from aretē virtue + logia logy : a narrative of the miraculous deeds of a god or hero …   Useful english dictionary

  • biblical literature — Introduction       four bodies of written works: the Old Testament writings according to the Hebrew canon; intertestamental works, including the Old Testament Apocrypha; the New Testament writings; and the New Testament Apocrypha.       The Old… …   Universalium

  • Infancy Gospel of Thomas — The Infancy Gospel of Thomas is a non canonical text that was part of a popular genre, aretalogy , of the 2nd and 3rd centuries mdash; a miracle literature of Infancy gospels that was both entertaining and inspirational, written to satisfy a… …   Wikipedia

  • Daniel 2 — Stained glass depiction of Daniel interceding with Arioch, the king s guard. Arioch had been charged with killing all the wise men after they were not able to interpret Nebuchadnezzar s dream. Daniel 2 is the second chapter of the Book of Daniel… …   Wikipedia

  • ar|e|tal|o|gy — «AHR uh TAL uh jee», noun, plural gies. a narrative of the feats or achievements of a legendary figure: »an aretalogy of Pythagoras. ╂[< Greek aretalogiā < aretē manly virtue + logíā logy] …   Useful english dictionary

  • HADAS, MOSES — (1900–1966), U.S. classical scholar and humanist. After graduating from Emory University, Hadas proceeded to Columbia University, at the same time pursuing studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, from which he received his… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”