Basileus Basileon (Rev 17.14; 19.16) in Light of the Numismatic Record
The title βασιλεὺς βασιλέων in the Apocalypse (Rev 17.14; 19.16) has generated a variety of interpretations in regard to its identification, symbolism and background. Commentators regularly note that joining a singular noun with its genitive plural is a common way to express the superlative in Hebre...
| Published in: | New Testament studies |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Cambridge Univ. Press
[2019]
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| In: |
New Testament studies
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Offenbarung des Johannes 17,14
/ Bible. Offenbarung des Johannes 19,16
/ Numismatics
/ Lexicography
/ Coin
/ Roman Empire
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| IxTheo Classification: | HC New Testament HH Archaeology |
| Further subjects: | B
Roman coins
B king of kings B Lexicography B 19.16 B Parthia B Revelation 17.14 B Bible. Offenbarung des Johannes 19,16 B Numismatics B Bible. Offenbarung des Johannes 17,14 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The title βασιλεὺς βασιλέων in the Apocalypse (Rev 17.14; 19.16) has generated a variety of interpretations in regard to its identification, symbolism and background. Commentators regularly note that joining a singular noun with its genitive plural is a common way to express the superlative in Hebrew. Others find special relevance of the phrase to the time of Domitian when it is said he dictated the form of a letter to be used by his procurators, he began: "Our lord and god commands so and so"' (Suetonius, Domitian, 13). The present analysis argues that inscriptions on relevant coinage confirm that the title was a clear allusion to the tradition of the Parthian kings, Rome's historic enemy. Within the context of the Apocalypse, the title is applied to Jesus Christ, presented triumphantly conquering Rome in the image of Rome's feared Parthian enemy. Included in the analysis is an extensive tabulation of relevant numismatic evidence. |
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| ISSN: | 1469-8145 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: New Testament studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1017/S0028688519000250 |