Jacob of Edessa

Jacob of Edessa ( * ca 633, † 708 ) was a Syrian scholar and Christian theologian.

Life and works

Jacob was born near Antioch. During this period, the Byzantine Empire lost most of its eastern territories to the Arabs, including Syria (see Islamic expansion). At a young age Jacob, who belonged to the Syrian Orthodox Church came, a monastery and received a fairly comprehensive education ( including in theology, philosophy, and Greek), which allowed him to improve during his studies in Alexandria. 684 he became bishop of the city of Edessa, but he put this office already 688 down after his strict official leadership had caused resistance. Jacob initially retired to a monastery near Edessa back, then taught eleven years in Eusebonakloster at Antioch, before he left this in the dispute and withdrew to the monastery Tell- Adda. After the death of Habib of Edessa he was there again to become a bishop, but he died shortly afterwards.

Jacob was versatile taught and a prolific author, but are not completely get his writings. Jacob translated Greek works into Syriac or revised this, including works of Aristotle and of Severus of Antioch; possibly he intended also to translate the homilies of Gregory of Nazianzus. He also worked on a Syrian version of the Old Testament, which he could not accomplish. He also wrote poems ( four are known, which are directed against the Nestorians ) and wrote numerous letters, some of which have been preserved and document his extensive education. Even with the canon law and philosophical themes he sat apart. Several letters are addressed to his friend John of Litharb ( near Aleppo ) who may be causing Chronicle wrote that Theophilus was used as a source of Edessa.

Jacob was also interested in history and wrote a Syrian chronicle, which began 326 and terminates in the obtained ( damaged, incomplete ) manuscript 630. The resulting fragment probably only based on an abbreviated version of the Chronicle, which originally gave to the late 7th century and was later continued until 710. It was at the factory to a chronological and historical board with ruler data ( Persian and Roman ) and Olympics count and scarce historical notes. The work thus stands in the tradition of the late antique Christian chronicles. It was apparently represents a continuation of the Chronicle of Eusebius of Caesarea; it is unclear whether Jacob has also treated the time before. Jacob Chronicle was also used by subsequent Syrian chroniclers.

Jacob enjoyed due to his learning and his wide-ranging interests, who expressed in his writings, immense reputation. He is considered the most important Syrian intellectuals of the Middle Byzantine / early Islamic era and as one of the most important scholars of Christian Aramaic tradition.

Bibliography

• Dirk Kruisheer, Lucas van Rompay: A Bibliographical Clavis to the Works of Jacob of Edessa. In: Hugoye. Journal of Syriac Studies 1 (1998).