Research Catalog

Title

Essays in Christian mythology : the metamorphosis of Prester John / Manuel João Ramos.

Author

Ramos, Manuel João.

Publication

Lanham, Md : University Press of America, c2006.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

xi, 289 p. : ill.; 22 cm.

Summary

"Essays in Christian Mythology deals with Christian literature interpreted as myth. The work offers detailed analysis and anthropological interpretation of a body of Christian medieval texts, which confirm the existence of a mythological discourse based on the biblical narratives. Essays in Christian Mythology focuses on Prester John, an imaginary oriental sovereign fabled to have offered to establish an alliance with the West in order to liberate the Holy Land. This intriguing work reviews the symbolic dualism in medieval Christianity and the symbolic relations between Christ as heir of the Heavenly Kingdom and the Devil as the "Prince of this World." In addition, Essays explores the roots of renaissance Iberian discovery travels and their literary expressions in this medieval Christian-mythological discourse."--Publisher's website.

Subject

• Christian legends
• Literature, Medieval > History and criticism
• Mythology in literature
• Prester John (Legendary character)
• Prestor John (Legendary character)

Genre/Form

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Note

• Earlier version published under the title: Ensaios de mitologia cristã : o Preste João e a reversibilidade simbólica by Assírio & Alvim, Lisboa, 1997.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [276]-289) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Ch. 1. Heuristic problems : reading is believing -- Ch. 2. Text and context of the Letter of Prester John -- Ch. 3. Wonders of Christian India -- Ch. 4. The patriarch, the king and the river -- Ch. 5. An Oriental Christ-mimesis -- Ch. 6. Instruments of divine will -- Ch. 7. Do kings ever die? : Asian travels -- Ch. 8. Naked at the gates of Eden -- Ch. 9. A presbyter and a patriarch -- Ch. 10. Rex, Sacerdos et Niger -- Ch. 11. "Blinded by the rays of the Roman faith" -- Ch. 12. To see a mirror and die -- Ch. 13. The king and the beggar : an incursion into the apocrypha -- Ch. 14. A hymn that fell from heaven -- Ch. 15. Of doves and serpents -- Ch. 16. What is a fallen angel? -- Ch. 17. The brother of the "king's son" -- Ch. 18. The devil in his body -- Ch. 19. ... and God entered hell -- Ch. 20. The cursed death of Christ -- Epilogue : believing is seeing.

ISBN

• 0761833889
• 9780761833888

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library