In lieu of a blog post today, I present a project I have been working on for a few days now. As most of you know, the myth of the fall of the Watchers and the birth of the Giants has been a major influence on fringe history. However, the most influential version of the story was not the original, from the Book of Enoch, but the revised version harmonized with the legendary histories of Babylon and Egypt created by the Egyptian monks Panodorus and Annianus around 400 CE. This version was inherited by the Middle Ages and gave rise to the legends of the pyramids, the mythology of Freemasonry, and the occult traditions of the Hermetic occultists--and through them modern occultism, alternative archaeology, ancient astronaut theories, etc. I have taken all of the references to Annianus' work and collated them into a composite, with extensive notes, reconstructing as best as is possible what Annianus said so we can see in full the story that played such a major role in the development of fringe history claims. Apparently, no one has done this before since modern scholars primarily care about Annianus in terms of his work to establish the date of Jesus' birth, so they don't care much about the Watchers. I don't pretend my reconstruction is definitive, and it is a work in progress, but I think you'll be surprised at how well the many different partial sources dovetail together into an almost coherent epic of the antediluvian world. You can read it here.
6 Comments
E.P. Grondine
7/11/2018 09:37:31 am
Hi Jason -
Reply
Americanegro
7/11/2018 03:03:30 pm
Alternatively you could quote from Pink Floyd's last good album and say "Fuck all that, we've got to get on with this."
Reply
Scott Hamilton
7/11/2018 06:01:49 pm
Interesting stuff.
Reply
An Anonymous Nerd
7/11/2018 07:25:55 pm
Awesome is the only word. For your effort and the lore itself.
Reply
Riley V
7/12/2018 01:49:00 am
Thank you for this. This type of work is why I keep reading your blog.
Reply
David Bradbury
7/12/2018 05:26:13 pm
🏆 🍎
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI am an author and researcher focusing on pop culture, science, and history. Bylines: New Republic, Esquire, Slate, etc. There's more about me in the About Jason tab. Newsletters
Enter your email below to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on my latest projects, blog posts, and activities, and subscribe to Culture & Curiosities, my Substack newsletter.
Categories
All
Terms & ConditionsPlease read all applicable terms and conditions before posting a comment on this blog. Posting a comment constitutes your agreement to abide by the terms and conditions linked herein.
Archives
November 2024
|