De Gruyter Oldenbourg Cultures of Eschatology Vol 1 & 2 - De Gruyter Oldenbourg

Explore the profound impact of apocalyptic thought on the development of pre-modern societies with Cultures of Eschatology. This two-volume set examines how ideas regarding the past, present, and future shaped religious and political communities across the medieval West and East. Volume 1 focuses on empires and scriptural authorities within Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist communities. Volume 2 investigates themes of time and death. Together, these volumes provide a wide variety of case studies ranging from early Christian communities of Antiquity through the era of the Islamic invasion and the Crusades. By looking at how visions of the end intersected with social changes and new intellectual traditions, this work offers a deep look into the religious history of the medieval world. It is an essential resource for those studying the history of Europe and the evolution of global religious thought.