Essays in Christian Mythology The Metamorphoses of Prester John

Essays in Christian Mythology deals with Christian literature interpreted as myth. The work offers detailed analysis and anthropological interpretation of a body of Christian medieval texts, which confirm the existence of a mythological discourse based on the biblical narratives. Essays in Christian Mythology focuses on Prester John, an imaginary oriental sovereign fabled to have offered to establish an alliance with the West in order to liberate the Holy Land. This intriguing work reviews the symbolic dualism in medieval Christianity and the symbolic relations between Christ as heir of the Heavenly Kingdom and the Devil as the "Prince of this World." In addition, Essays explores the roots of renaissance Iberian discovery travels and their literary expressions in this medieval Christian-mythological discourse.

Manuel Joao Ramos is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the ISCTE, Lisbon.