THE RECEPTION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL IN APHRAHAT’S FIFTH DEMONSTRATION, “ON WARS”

Abstract

Aphrahat composed the fifth Demonstration at a time of increasing tension between the Roman and the Sasanian Empires.In anticipation of the Christian Emperor's military campaign against Shapur II, the Persian Sage found in the bellicose language of the Book of Daniel a reassuring message for fourth century Christians living under Sasanian rule.The cryptic style of this biblical book readily lent itself to the exigencies of his historical context in which an equally cryptic style (braz) was required.This article considers how Aphrahat recast the Book of Daniel so that it might become a window for understanding his own world.[1] Among Daniel's earliest interpreters was Aphrahat, the fourth century Persian Sage, who, in his V Demonstration, "On Wars," offered his theological reflection on the turbulent political events and military movements of his day. 1 He took up the book of 1 Aphrahat's twenty-three Demonstrations offer a unique window into fourth century biblical interpretation beyond the borders of the Roman 56 Craig E. Morrison Daniel and, drawing on Daniel's interpretation of human history in chapters 2, 7, and 8, developed a reassuring message for his Persian Christian audience.2 Daniel's understanding of history, Aphrahat trusted, would be realized in his own day.3 [2]Aphrahat wrote this Demonstration as Christians in Persia were coming under increasing suspicion from their Sasanian rulers.4 Before the Christianizing of the Roman Empire, the persecution of Christians in the west under Valerian "led Shapur I to treat the large numbers of Christians…with considerable favour." 5 Once the Roman Emperor adopted Christianity, Sasanian rulers began to look upon Christians as a potential fifth column.6 The conversion of Armenia to Christianity (314) would further threaten Sasanian hegemony while increasing Rome's influence in the region.T. B. Barnes dates the V Dem. to September or October 337, 7 a moment when relations between Persians and their Christian minority had become markedly less friendly.Particularly unhelpful, according to Barnes, was Constantine's declared role as "a divinely ordained Empire.For an introduction to his world and his writings, see R.

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