Symbolism and Logic in Arethas’ Commentary on the Apocalyps

Authors:

Pages: 151-178
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/ZMRF4119

Abstract:

The fact that such a speculative thinker as Arethas (9th-10th c.) produced a commentary on the Apocalypse is an indication that the proper context of the text is the philosophical agenda of this period of Byzantine intellectual history. The Apocalypse is rarely commented in Byzantium. The preceding Byzantine commentaries of Oecumenius and Andreas of Caesarea try to escape from the messianic interpretation, which localizes the precursor of the Kingdom of God in a certain political body. Arethas continues this program of interpretation by introducing logical criteria and, more specifically, four logical antinomies: ‘unity-totality’, ‘particularity- universality’, ‘stability-change’ and ‘repose-movement’. He made use of these antinomies when analyzing Porphyry’s description of the taxonomy of species and single beings. With these structures Arethas reconstructs the imagery of the Apocalypse as a symbolic representation of the movement of history towards the end. He demonstrates that the Apocalypse builds a semiotic system, transferring prophetic knowledge about the complexity of a Christ-centered concept of history. A Christ-centered history, instead of being totalizing and deterministic, implies plurality and freedom.

Keywords:

Apocalypse, symbol, history, freedom, logic, eschatology

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