SAPERE XLVI:  Bardaisan on Human Nature, Fate, and Free Will. The Book of the Laws of Countries.

Edited and with an introduction by Ilaria Ramelli.

This volume brings together contributions from leading experts on Bardesanes of Edessa, The Book of the Laws of the Lands, and his arguments concerning anthropology, free will, nature, destiny, astrology, and eschatology. In her introduction, Ilaria L.E. Ramelli contextualizes the book within the scholar's work and school, argues that the book is structured as a Platonic dialogue, illuminates its anti-Gnostic and anti-Marcionite arguments, and elucidates textual problems. Following her edition, translation, and commentary, six essays present new research insights. The first two focus on Bardesanes's stance on apokatastasis, parallels with Origen, and their shared "Middle Platonic" intellectual horizon. The subsequent essays examine the historical and cultural context as well as the philosophical and astrological background. The final essay discusses Bardesanes's influence on late antique Christianity.

Ramelli, Ilaria L.E.
Published: 2025
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck Verlag: Tübingen
ISBN: 978-3-16-152121-8