JF Ptak Science Books LLC Post 445
“For the uneducated the pictures are necessary for reading” (Imperitis pro lectione pictura est.)
–from the dedication to Revelationes
So we read in the dedication of this early illustrated work on prophesy. I love that: “pictures are necessary for reading”.
This magnificent woodcut is one of 61 illustrations appearing in Saint Methodius, the Bishop of Tyre, (Sebastian Brant) [Revelationes] (Methodius primum Olimpiade et postea Tyri ciuitatum episcopus, sub diocleciano Imperatore, in Calcide civitate (que nigropontuz appelatur ut diuus scribit hieronimus martyrio)) and printed in Basel just past the turn of the sixteenth century 1504. It was the second edition of this work (the first appearing in 1496), replacing the un-illustrated first edition, making its appeal to the lesser- or unread among its readers. the author had been asked to include illustrations for the benefit of all those who could read only pictures–and for many that’s all they would need, the 61 images were easily understood and consumed.
Neither edition though was actually written by Methodius, both being, probably, the work of Wolfgang Aitinger, a monk in Ausberg.
Some Samples of Ancient Literature in Prophesy and Prophetic Revelations:
Old Testament Apocalypse Literature:
Canonical: Isaiah xxiv.-xxvii.; xxxiii.; xxxiv.-xxxv; (Jeremiah xxxiii. 14-26?); Ezekiel ii. 8; xxxviii.-xxxix.; Joel iii. 9-17; Zech. xii—xiv; Daniel.
Extra-canonical:– Palestinian. 200-100 B.C., Book of Noah, 1 Enoch vi.-xxxvi.; lxxii.-xi, Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. 100 B.C. to 1 B.C.:1 Enoch i.-v.; xxxvii.-lxxi.; xci.-civ; Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, i.e. T. Lev. x., xiv.-xvi., T. Jud. xxi. 6-xxiii, T. Zeb. ix., T. Dan. v. 6, 7; Psalms of Solomon. A.D. 1-100 and later:Assumption of Moses, Apocalypse of Baruch., 4 Ezra, Greek Apocalypse of Baruch, Apocalypse of Zephaniah, Apocalypse of Abraham, Prayer of Joseph, Book of Eldad and Modad, Apocalypse of Elijah. Hellenistic: 2 Enoch, Oracles of Hystaspes. Testament of Job, Testaments of the III. Patriarchs,Sibylline Oracles (excluding Christian portions).
New Testament Apocalypse Literature:
Canonical: Apocalypse in Mark xiii. (Matthew xxiv., Luke xxi.).2 Thessalonians ii,Revelation.
Apocryphal: Apocalypse of Peter, Testament of Hezekiah, Testament of Abraham, Oracles of Hystaspes, Vision of Isaiah, Shepherd of Hermas. 5 Ezra 6 Ezra, Christian Sibyllines, Apocalypses of Paul, Thomas and Stephen, Apocalypses of Esdras, Paul, John, Peter, The Virgin, Sedrach, Daniel, Revelations of Bartholomew, Questions of Bartholomew.