ABSTRACT
For further reading on Manichaeism in general, see Lieu 1992; Brown 1969; Lane Fox 1986: 561-71; Gardner and Lieu 1996, 2004.
The initial publication of the Cologne Mani Codex in 1970 and the years immediately following was an event of major importance for Manichaean studies because of the detail it contained about Mani’s early life. Entitled ‘On the Origin of his Body’ (the final term is assumed to refer as much to his followers as to his person), it detailed the revelations he received, the conflict this produced with the ‘Baptists’ among whom he had grown up (generally thought to be Elchasaites, a Judaising Christian group known from other sources), his break with them, and his initial missionary journeys (especially notable is the reference to Mani’s divine ‘twin’, another tell-tale sign of Gnostic influence). No less remarkable was the format of the codex: comprising nearly 200 pages measuring only 38 x 48 mm, with each page containing an average of 23 lines of text with letters no more than 1 mm high, it was the smallest ancient codex discovered up to that point in time. Its tiny size and the consequent difficulties for reading raised the possibility of its being intended as an amulet with symbolic value, but the fine scribal work revealed by closer inspection suggested other possibilities. Presumably it was written – and so could be read – with the aid of some form of magnification (such as a waterfilled glass bottle), so perhaps it was ‘miniaturised’ to facilitate concealment – an understandable motive given the enthusiasm of the Roman authorities for burning Manichaean writings (cf. 3.2 (6)). Although the circumstances of its discovery and acquisition have never been made public, it is known to have come from Lycopolis in Egypt, an important Manichaean centre in Late Antiquity. The date of the
codex is debated – possibly fourth century, or perhaps later – but the Syriac original of which it is a Greek translation could well have been produced much closer to Mani’s own lifetime. As will be readily apparent from the extracts below, the codex has not survived undamaged.
