Cologne Mani-Codex

5th-century Manichaean manuscript

Cologne Mani-Codex

Information
Religion| Manichaeism
Author| Unknown
Language| Greek
Period| 5th century A.D.

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Gnosticism

Gnostic concepts

* Adam kasia
* Adam pagria
* Aeon
* Anima mundi
* Archon
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Gnostic sects and founders

* List of Gnostic sects

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Proto-Gnosticism

* Maghāriya
* Thomasines

Judean / Israelite

* Adam
* Mandaeism
* Elksai
* Elkasaites
* Samaritan Baptist
* Dositheos
* Simon Magus (Simonians)
* Menander
* Quqites

Christian Gnosticism

* Apelles
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* Marcionism
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Syrian-Egyptian

* Ophites
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Alexandrian

* Basilides
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Roman

* Valentinus
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Persian Gnosticism

* Mani
* Manichaeism

Chinese Gnosticism

* Chinese Manichaeism

Islamic Gnosticism

* Druze
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Modern

* Modern schools

Scriptures

* List of Gnostic texts

* * *

Texts

* Nag Hammadi library
* Pseudo-Abdias
* Clementine literature
* Gnosticism and the New Testament
* Mandaean scriptures

Codices

* Codex Tchacos
* Cologne Mani-Codex
* Askew Codex
* Bruce Codex
* Berlin Codex
* Codex Nasaraeus

Influenced by

* Apocalyptic literature
* Early Christianity
* Christology
* Docetism
* Paul and Gnosticism
* Merkabah mysticism
* Middle Platonism
* Philo
* Wisdom (personification)

Influence on

* Carl Jung
* Esoteric Christianity
* Christian theosophy
* Gnosticism in modern times
* Neoplatonism and Gnosticism
* Perennial philosophy
* Thelema
* Theosophy (Blavatskian)
* Western esotericism
* Rene Guenon
* Rudolf Steiner

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The Cologne Mani-Codex (Codex Manichaicus Coloniensis) is a minute[1] parchment codex, dated on paleographical evidence to the fifth century CE, found near Asyut (the ancient Lycopolis), Egypt; it contains a Greek text describing the life of Mani, the founder of the religion Manichaeism.

The codex became known via antique dealers in Cairo. It consisted of four deteriorated lumps of vellum the size of a palm, and was in very poor condition.[2] It was purchased for the Institut für Altertumskunde at the University of Cologne in 1969, and two of its scientists, Albert Henrichs [de] and Ludwig Koenen, produced a first report (1970)[3] and the first edition of this ancient manuscript, hence known as the Cologne Mani-Codex, which they published in four articles in the Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik (1975–82). Many emendations and alternate readings were offered in the following decade, and it was found that some of the minute fragments associated with the codex could be successfully incorporated into the body of text.[4] A second edition was published in 1988.[5] Two symposia have been devoted to the codex, and their papers published: in Rende (Calabria) (1984) and in Cosenza (1988).

The text, which bears the ambiguous title "On the origin of his body", recounts Mani's introduction to the Jewish-Christian Elkesaite baptising sect. Mani's teachings are revealed to him through his spiritual companion and celestial twin (his syzygos). The Greek text bears traces that demonstrate it had been translated from an Eastern Aramaic or Old Syriac original. The logoi of Mani himself are repeatedly cited. That it is a compilation from earlier texts is suggested by the names, apparently of teachers that head each section of the text.[6]

## See also

[edit]

* Medinet Madi library

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Each side measures 4.5 × 3.8 cm; the Mani Codex is the smallest ancient book yet discovered (Encyclopædia Iranica, s.v. "Cologne Mani-Codex").
2. ^ Henrichs, Albert (1979). "The Cologne Mani Codex Reconsidered". Harvard Studies in Classical Philology. 83: 339–367. doi:10.2307/311105. JSTOR 311105.
3. ^ Henrichs, A.; Koenen, L. (1970). "Ein griechischer Mani-Codex (P. Colon. inv. nr. 4780)". Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. 5: 97–216. JSTOR 20180218.
4. ^ The first decade of transcription, translation and interpretation of the Mani Codex was summarised by Henrichs, Albert (1979). "The Cologne Mani Codex Reconsidered". Harvard Studies in Classical Philology. 83: 339–367. doi:10.2307/311105. JSTOR 311105.
5. ^ Koenen, L.; Römer, C., eds. (1988). Der Kölner Mani-Kodex. Über das Werden seines Leibes. Kritische Edition. Abhandlung der Reinisch-Westfälischen Akademie der Wissenschaften: Papyrologica Coloniensia. Vol. 14\. Opladen, Germany. ISBN 3-531-09924-8.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
6. ^ Henrichs, A.; Koenen, L. (1970). "Ein griechischer Mani-Codex (P. Colon. inv. nr. 4780)". Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. 5: 97–216. JSTOR 20180218. Pages 110–14, noted in Encyclopædia Iranica.

## References

[edit]

* The Cologne Mani Codex (P. Colon. inv. nr. 4780) "Concerning the Origin of His Body". Edited and translated by Ron Cameron and Arthur J. Dewey. Society of Biblical Literature Texts and Translations Series 15. Missoula, MT: Scholars Press, 1979.University of Cologne, Papyrus Collection
* Der Kölner Mani-Kodex, University of Cologne, Papyrus Collection ((in German))

## External links

[edit]

* Encyclopædia Iranica, s.v. "Cologne Mani-Codex"

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Manichaeism

Prophets|

* Mani (Founder)
* Jesus
* Sakyamuni
* Zarathustra
* Narayana
* Seth

Scripture|

* Seven treatises of Manichaeism (Gospel of Mani, Treasure of Life, The Epistles, The Book of Mysteries, Pragmateia, The Book of Giants, Psalms and Prayers)
* Book of Pictures
* Shabuhragan

Extracanonical
literature|

* New Testament
* Fundamental Epistle
* Manichaean Psalm Book
* Psalms of Thomas
* Kephalaia
* Xuastvanift
* Cologne Mani-Codex
* Medinet Madi library
* Dunhuang Manichaean texts
* Xiabuzan
* Manichaean Compendium
* Incomplete scripture of Manichaeism
* Irk Bitig†
* Turpan Manichaean texts
* Sogdian-language Manichaean letter
* Xiapu Manichaean manuscripts
* Moni Guangfo

Theology|

* Father of Greatness
* Prince of Darkness
* Zarathustra in Manichaeism
* The Buddha in Manichaeism
* Jesus in Manichaeism
* Two Principles and Three Moments
* Gnosis
* Messenger of Light
* Xroshtag and Padvaxtag
* Archon
* Asrestar

History|

* Apostles
* Mar Ammo
* Mar Sisin
* Mar Zaku
* Mar Adda
* Shad Ohrmazd
* Mihr
* Faustus
* Agapius
* Aphthonius
* Hegemonius
* Marcus
* Three Persian religions
* Huichang Persecution of Manichaeism
* Bögü Qaghan
* Sergius-Tychicus
* East-West Schism
* Amr ibn Adi
* Abū Hilāl al-Dayhūri
* Lü Shinang
* Synod of Gangra
* Lin Deng
* Persecution
* Uyghur Khaganate
* Cangnan Stele
* Qianku

Sects|

* See of Babylon
* Denawars
* Astati
* Chinese Manichaeism
* Miqlāsiyya

Organisation|

* Archegos
* Patriarch
* Apostle
* Bishop
* Presbyter
* Elect
* Hearers

Commandments|

* Three Seals
* Pañcavidyā

Rituals|

* Eucharist
* Evangelism
* Repentance
* Fasting

Buildings|

* Cao'an
* Puxi Fushou Palace [zh]
* Flying Road Pagoda [zh]
* Leshan Temple [zh]

Visual art|

* Birth of Mani
* Book of Pictures
* Diagram of the Universe
* Episodes from Mani's Missionary Work
* Icon of Mani
* Leaf from a Manichaean book MIK III 4959
* Leaf from a Manichaean book MIK III 4974
* Leaf from a Manichaean book MIK III 4979
* Leaf from a Manichaean book MIK III 6368
* Leaf from a Manichaean book MIK III 8259
* Mani's Community Established
* Mani's Parents
* Manichaean stone reliefs of Shangwan village
* Manichaean temple banner MIK III 6286
* Manichaean wall painting MIK III 6918
* Painting of the Buddha Jesus
* Sealstone of Mani
* Sermon on Mani's Teaching of Salvation
* Veneration of the Tree of Life

Writing system|

* Manichaean script
* Manichaean (Unicode block)

In fiction|

* Ming Cult
* The Gardens of Light
* Story of the Twin Dragons of Great Tang
* The Secret of Heaven

Notes: † mainly a Tengrist text but recorded in a Manichaean monastery
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