Persia (religion of):

aka Zoroastrianism (natively Mazdayasna); monotheistic with single creator god, dualistic cosmology in good & evil, eschatology predicts ultimate destruction of evil; ascribed to prophet Zoroaster (aka Zarathustra) it exalts a deity of wisdom, Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) as Supreme Being.  Major features include: messianic aspects, judgment after death, heaven & hell, free will; these influenced other religious systems, (including Second Temple Judaism, Gnosticism, Christianity & Islam).  Roots in 2nd millennium BC, documented to the 5th-century BC; with a Mithraic Median prototype & a Zurvanist Sassanid successor, served as state religion of the pre-Islamic Iranian empires for over a 100 years (600 BC to 650 AD) suppressed by Islam.

 

Manichaean:

a major religious movement founded by the Iranian prophet Mani (216–276) in the Sasanian Empire.  It taught an elaborate dualistic cosmology describing the struggle between a good, spiritual world of light versus an evil, material world of darkness. Through an ongoing process in human history, light is gradually removed from the world of matter & returned to the world of light, whence it came. Its beliefs were based on local Mesopotamian religious movements and Gnosticism.  It spread far through the Aramaic-speaking regions, flourished between 3rd-7th centuries, & at its height was one of the most widespread religions in the world.  Their churches & scriptures existed as far east as China & as far west as the Roman Empire.  Briefly main rival to Christianity to replace classical paganism.  It survived longer in the east than in the west, and finally faded away after the 14th century in S China, along with the Church of the East in Ming China. Most of Manichaeism's original writings are lost, some translations & fragmentary texts survive.

 

Syncretic: * see Endnote <A>

Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, blending practices of various schools of thought; the merging or assimilation of several originally discrete traditions.  Common in theology & mythology, allows underlying unity promoting an inclusive approach to other faiths.  Judaism, Christianity & Greek religious philosophical concepts were prevalent in the Hellenistic period (300 BC- 300 AD).  Cultural fusion was initiated by Alexander (4th century BC), his successors & the Roman Empire.  All brought together a variety of religious & philosophical views that led towards religious syncretism.  This involved the blending 2 or more religious belief systems into a new system or sometimes an older belief system incorporating religious traditions or beliefs from unrelated traditions.  It is in contrast to either unique & exclusive religions or polytheism.  Spengler uses this term when speaking of the early Magian Culture, specifically its religions.

 

Baal cults: * see Endnote<B>

Baʿal is a title meaning "lord" in the NW Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use it came to be applied to gods.  Inscriptions have shown that the name Baʿal was associated with the storm & fertility god Hadad.  Baʿal was also used as a proper name by the 3rd millennium BC when he appears in a list of deities at Abu Salabikh. It is believed that this Baʿal (distinguished as "The Lord") was identical with the storm and fertility god Hadad; it also appears in the form Baʿal Haddu. Scholars believe that as the cult of Hadad increased in importance, his true name came to be seen as too holy for any but the high priest to speak aloud and the alias "Lord" ("Baʿal") was used instead, as "Bel" was used for Marduk among the Babylonians and "Adonai" for Yahweh among the Israelites.  Probably a native Canaanite deity whose cult was identified with Adad's. Regardless of their original relationship, by the 1st millennium BC, the two were distinct: Hadad was worshipped by the Aramaeans, Baʿal by the Phoenicians & other Canaanites.

 

Mithraeum: * see Endnote <C>

large or small Mithraic temple, erected 100 BC to 300 AD, typically in the Roman Empire, by the worshippers of Mithras; either an adapted natural cave or cavern, or a building imitating a cave.  When possible, constructed within or below an existing building, (such as the Mithraeum found beneath Basilica of San Clemente in Rome).  Most Mithraea are underground, some with open holes in the ceiling to allow light in, perhaps to relate to the connection of the universe & the passing of time.  Identified by their singular entrance or vestibule, which lies opposite an apse-shaped wall in which a pedestal altar at the back stood, often in a recess.  Also its "cave" (Spelunca), with raised benches on side walls for the ritual meal.  Many are scattered over the Roman Empire, especially where the legions were stationed on frontiers (Britain). 

 

Mazdaist fire-temple: * see Endnote <D>

aka Zoroastrian fire temple;  place of worship for Zoroastrians; fire together with clean water were agents of ritual purity.  The oldest fire temple is that on Mount Khajeh, dated to the 3rd or 4th century BC.  It was rebuilt during the Parthian era (250 BC-226 AD) & enlarged during Sassanid times (226–650 AD).  The characteristic features of the fire temple was its domed sanctuary where the fire-altar stood; the sanctuary always had a square ground plan with a pillar in each corner that then supported the dome; the sanctuary was surrounded by a passageway on all 4 sides.

 

cult buildings of …Abyssinian: * see Endnote <E>

The Kingdom of Aksum (100 AD to 940 AD) kingdom in N Ethiopia and Eritrea; ruled by the Aksumites, centred in the city of Axum.  Around 324 AD the King Ezana II was converted to Christianity by his teacher Frumentius, the founder of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Frumentius taught the emperor while he was young, and it is believed that at some point staged the conversion of the empire.  Frumentius was in contact with the Church of Alexandria, and was appointed Bishop of Ethiopia around the year 330.

 

Pauline West: * see Endnote <F>

Paul (5-67 AD) aka Saint Paul or his Jewish name Saul of Tarsus.  Linked to the West both geographically & philosophically.  His missions took him to the western extremes of the Empire (Spain) as well as Greece & Rome.  Secondly he changed Christianity from being an exclusive variant of Judaism to an inclusive religion that embraced the Gentiles, the majority of people in the Empire.

 

Nestorian East:

aka Nestorianism, Christological doctrine emphasizing distinction between the human & divine natures of Jesus; advanced by Nestorius (386–450), Patriarch of Constantinople 428 to 431; he was  influenced by Theodore of Mopsuestia at the School of Antioch.  These teachings brought him into conflict with other church leaders, notably Cyril of Alexandria, who criticized especially his rejection of the title Theotokos ("Mother of God") for Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Nestorius was eventually condemned as heretical at the Council of Ephesus in 431 & the Council of Chalcedon in 451.  This led to the Nestorian Schism; churches supporting Nestorius broke with the rest of the Christian Church.

 

“Persian” temple:

Reference to Zoroastrian fire temples- see above

 

triangle of cities Edessa, Nisbis, Amida: * see Endnote <G>

Spengler identifies this geographic location as the artistic centre of the Magian Culture.

 

Edessa:

see Map Endnote <G>  and see Chapter II,  page 63

 

Nisibis: * see Endnote <H>

frontier town between Roman & Persian Empires; changed hands many times.  In the 1st century AD it was the home of Judah ben Bethera, founder of a famous yeshiva there.  As early as 300 AD it had an Assyrian Christian bishop.  It was the home of Ephrem the Syrian, who remained until 363.  In the 4th & 5th centuries AD it was a great centre of Syrian scholarship, along with Edessa.  Famous for the school of Nisbis, founded twice, first in 350 AD; this was an important spiritual centre of for the early Church of the East & was the world's first university.  and see Map

 

Amida:

City located on the right bank of the Tigris, initially Armenian settlement (3rd Millennium BC), captured & absorbed into the Assyrian empire, where it remained until 705 BC.  The Sasanian Empire & the Romans fought over the city several times.  In 363 AD it was returned to Roman rule; in 502-03 it was besieged by the Sasanians & after a long siege the city fell. In 504, however, the Romans reconquered the city & Justinian I repaired its walls and fortifications. The Sasanians captured the city for a 3rd time in 602 holding it for more than twenty years. In 628 the Roman emperor Heraclius recovered it.  Saint Ephraim of Antioch was born here in the 5th century, where he became fluent in both Greek and Syriac.  He became Patriarch of Antioch & head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch, 527545.  and see Map

 

late Classical Pseudomorphisis:

Spengler’s term for a culture which is involuntarily effected or stunted by an older possibly dead Culture.  The example he uses is the Magian Culture which was effected by the Apollonian Culture.

 

Pauline Christianity:

Early Christian movement where Paul was the dominant influence; it was associated with his beliefs as espoused through his writings.  Most of Christianity (in particular the Protestant branches) have come to rely heavily on these works & considers them an explanations of the teachings of Jesus.  Others see differences in his writings from the original teachings of Jesus (as documented in the Gospels, early Acts & the rest of the New Testament, such as the Epistle of James).  Proponents of this distinction include Marcion of Sinope, 2nd century theologian & excommunicated heresiarch (who asserted Paul was the only apostle who understood the new message of salvation delivered by Christ).  Paul was opposed by the Ebionites & Nazarenes, Jewish Christians, who rejected him for straying from Second Temple Judaism.

 

council of Ephesus:

(431AD) called by the Roman Emperor Theodosius II, bishops convened in Ephesus (modern Turkey); this the 3rd ecumenical council, was an effort to achieve consensus through an assembly representing all of Christendom; confirmed the original Nicene Creed, condemned the teachings of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople (hwo held that the Virgin Mary may be called the Christotokos, "Birth Giver of Christ" but NOT the Theotokos, "Birth Giver of God".   Many of Nestorius's supporters relocated to the Sasanian Empire & became affiliated with the local Christian community, the Church of the East, eventually becoming known as the Nestorian Church.

 

council of Chalcedon:

a church council 431. Chalcedon (adjacent to the city of Byzantium), recognised as the 4th ecumenical council by Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church & Protestants; issued the Chalcedonian Definition, stating Jesus was both God & man (a significant turning point in the Christological debates).  It repudiated Second Council of Ephesus (449).  This latter council, dominated by the Coptic element, led to anger in Rome & Constantinople. 

The Assyrian & the Oriental Orthodox Churches rejected this council, teaching that Christ possessed the perfect Godhead & the perfect manhood, his divine nature united with his fully human nature.  They believed Chalcedon reflected a power struggle, the Church of Rome claiming to have special patriarchal status among other Churches.  It is seen as a key factor leading to The Great Schism.

 

Western Judaism:

aka Hellenistic Judaism; combined Jewish religion with Greek culture.  Until the fall of the Rome (476 AD) & the Muslim conquests of the E Mediterranean chief centres of Hellenistic Judaism were Alexandria & Antioch, the 2 main Greek settlements in the Middle East & N Africa, both founded late 4th century BC following Alexander the Great.  Was in Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period, where there was conflict between Hellenizers & traditionalists.  They wrote the Septuagint translation of the Bible from Hebrew & Aramaic to Greek (Jewish Koiné Greek).  Notable too were the philosophic & ethical treatises of Philo and the historiographical works of the other Hellenistic Jewish authors.  Declined 2nd century AD, probably marginalized by or absorbed into the Koiné-speaking core of Early Christianity in Antioch.

 

cults of Syncretism:

The Hellenistic period & Roman Empire were fertile for syncretic religions & cults.  Christianity itself borrowed widely, from Hellenism, the syncretism of Judaism, Greek culture & philosophy, and even aspects of Egyptian culture.  Syncretic gods of the Hellenistic period found favour in Rome: Serapis, Isis & Mithras.  Cybele as worshipped in Rome represented a syncretic East Mediterranean goddess.  The Romans also imported the Greek god Dionysus where he merged with the Latin mead god Liber, and converted the Anatolian Sabazios into the Roman Sabazius.  The very Zeitgeist of the Age, cosmopolitan, urban & sophisticated moved away from the exclusive & tribal religions (e.g. Judaism or Classical Greek religions bound to local cult sites) to inclusive & blended religions.

 

Basilica:

see page 200

 

“…’Classical’ Syncretism modifies a…Euclidean place”: * see Endnote <I>

Classical Syncretism refers to the common syncretism practised during the Hellenistic Age & Roman Empire.  Spengler places quotes around the word Classical because he does not feel it really is Classical, but is in fact Magian.  Euclidean cults were those fixed to very specific locales or sacred precincts, such as the worship of Erechtheus, a cult deity of the polis Athens, or Athena, patron goddess of Athens & honoured with many temples in the city.   Spengler is suggesting that when the syncretic spirit of the Magian culture impacted a Classical cult (bound to a locality & specific region or city) turning it into a cosmopolitan religious community, widely dispersed, the importance of the interior grew yet the religious structures retained the Classical components (columns, architrave).  It is a feature of late Classical Pseudomorphosis.  An example of such a cult was the Isis cult.