Legend of Mar Qardagh - Narrative and Christian Heroism in Late Antique Iraq

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi ABBREVIATIONS xiii TRANSLITERATION AND TERMINOLOGY xvii Introduction: Christianity in Late Antique Iraq and the Legend of Mar Qardagh 1(16) PART I. The History of Mar Qardagh in English Translation, with. Commentary Introduction to the Text 17(2) The History of the Heroic Deeds of Mar Qardagh the Victorious Martyr 19(52) Index of Scriptural Citations 71(16) PART II. Normlive ami arislian Heroism in Late Antique Iraq 1. The Church of the East and the Hagiographv of the Persian Martyrs 87(34) 2. "We Rejoice in Your Heroic Deeds!" Christian Heroism and Sasanian Epic Tradition 121(43) 3. Refuting the Eternity of the Stars: Philosophy between Byzantium and Late Antique Iraq 164(42) 4. Conversion and the Family in the Acts of the Persian Martyrs 206(40) 5. Remembering Mar Qardagh: The Origins and Evolution of an East-Syrian Martyr Cult 246(35) Epilogue: The Festival of Mar Qardagh at Melqi 281(6) APPENDIX. THE QARDAGH LEGEND AND THE CHRONICLE OF ARBELA 287(4) SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY 291(44) INDEX 335