Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mountainman · 01-12-2011, 03:44 AM

The Discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices
James M. Robinson, The Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 42, No. 4,
The Nag Hammadi Library and Its Archeological Context (Autumn, 1979), pp. 206-224

At page 216 Robinson notes the following ...

Jacques Schwartz ... one afternoon in late March of 1946
was shown Codices VII and II [from the Nag Hammadi series].

"The name Seth recurred rather frequently (VII).
In one there occurred the tile "Apocalypse of Peter" (VII).

The leather cover of another carried the image of a serpent. (II)"

From another source is the following picture of one side of this Codex II, but I cannot make out an image of a serpent on this side - perhaps it is on the other side. Can anyone find a picture of image of the serpent on the leather cover of the Nag Hammadi Codex II as is disclosed above in the notes of Schwartz as presented by James M. Robinson?

aeebee50 · 01-12-2011, 08:40 AM

No.

Toto · 01-12-2011, 09:47 AM

Let me google that for you.

Essays on the Nag Hammadi texts: in honour of Pahor Labib (or via: amazon.co.uk), available on Google Books, in an essay by James M. Robinson at p. 175, footnote 1, described the covers and casts some doubt on whether that is a serpent or merely a spiral.

Pyrrho · 01-12-2011, 01:10 PM

You must not be a fanatical religious nutter who objects to the Nag Hammadi Codex II or you would have no real trouble seeing it.

KeepTalking · 01-12-2011, 01:19 PM

Take a look at the center left of the picture from the OP, you will see what looks like a couple of circles there. When I first saw the picture, I thought that this might be what was being seen as a serpent, after reading Toto's response, I am certain that is it. The black and white photo in the OP is a very poor image, I would imagine that there is more contrast when viewing the actual cover, and we might be able to tell with a better image.

ETA: I was wrong (there is s first time for everything)! Here is an image with the full cover, and much better contrast, we can see the images in question were under the flap:

Toto · 01-12-2011, 02:33 PM

I don't see a serpent, but even if there were a serpent, what would that mean?

mountainman · 01-12-2011, 05:50 PM

From what I have seen so far it appears Jacques Schwartz saw the pattern of spirals on the leather cover as a serpent. It does not say how long he was permitted to view the merchandise - it could have been only momentary.

I dont see a Cobra in the above either, but a pattern using spirals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

I don't see a serpent, but even if there were a serpent, what would that mean?

The C14 and examination of the cartonage etc all point to a mid 4th century manufacture for this time capsule. This is about 25 years after the commencement of the epoch of Constantine's supremacy in the Roman Empire, and his unprovoked destruction of the major ancient and highly revered temples (and their libraries) to Asclepius in the Eastern empire. I often wonder where the educated dispossessed non christians went after these actions, and the prohibition of their traditional "temple business".

Codex VI contains treatises where the speakers areAsclepius: the god of medicine (By Gerald David Hart) and Hermes (both non christian conceptions). Depictions related to Asclepius were notorious in their use of the snake symbol - and are still used today in the medical profession emblemage etc.

The Labarum impaling the serpent

The following is 326-330 CE - Constantinian bronze coinage showing the Labarum impaling a serpent.

lovesilentdeath · 01-12-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

I don't see a serpent, but even if there were a serpent, what would that mean?

The serpent is a fertility symbol used by the early Hebrew tribes. the codex was law some for believers and some for believers and unbelievers. What we have today, is a watered down version form biblical stories, taken too often at face value, while the people in that time had many myths, which do not jell well with logical positivism.

Chili · 01-12-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

I don't see a serpent, but even if there were a serpent, what would that mean?

I do but that does not mean much since it is an illusion anyway. But since it is an illusion it is (or was or should be) sacred and must be 'charmed into existence' which has something to do with the fleeting y chomosome for us rationals, that yes, is precisely what makes [masculine]males a vanishing member in our modern gender society.

Oh, and if Schwartz can see a serpent in the spirals he is missing the message.

Chili · 01-13-2011, 06:27 AM

I would have added that it happened in Burma and now is happening to us but I am nor sure if it actually did happen in Burma.

01-12-2011, 03:44 AM	#1
mountainman Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Falls Creek, Oz. Posts: 11,192	Has anyone seen the image of the serpent on the leather cover of Nag Hammadi Codex II The Discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices James M. Robinson, The Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 42, No. 4, The Nag Hammadi Library and Its Archeological Context (Autumn, 1979), pp. 206-224 At page 216 Robinson notes the following ... Jacques Schwartz ... one afternoon in late March of 1946 was shown Codices VII and II [from the Nag Hammadi series]. "The name Seth recurred rather frequently (VII). In one there occurred the tile "Apocalypse of Peter" (VII). The leather cover of another carried the image of a serpent. (II)" From another source is the following picture of one side of this Codex II, but I cannot make out an image of a serpent on this side - perhaps it is on the other side. Can anyone find a picture of image of the serpent on the leather cover of the Nag Hammadi Codex II as is disclosed above in the notes of Schwartz as presented by James M. Robinson?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-12-2011, 08:40 AM	#2
aeebee50 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 5,810	No.

01-12-2011, 09:47 AM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Let me google that for you. Essays on the Nag Hammadi texts: in honour of Pahor Labib (or via: amazon.co.uk), available on Google Books, in an essay by James M. Robinson at p. 175, footnote 1, described the covers and casts some doubt on whether that is a serpent or merely a spiral.

01-12-2011, 01:10 PM	#4
Pyrrho Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: United States Posts: 7,351	You must not be a fanatical religious nutter who objects to the Nag Hammadi Codex II or you would have no real trouble seeing it.

01-12-2011, 01:19 PM	#5
KeepTalking Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: St. Louis Metro East Posts: 3,057	Take a look at the center left of the picture from the OP, you will see what looks like a couple of circles there. When I first saw the picture, I thought that this might be what was being seen as a serpent, after reading Toto's response, I am certain that is it. The black and white photo in the OP is a very poor image, I would imagine that there is more contrast when viewing the actual cover, and we might be able to tell with a better image. ETA: I was wrong (there is s first time for everything)! Here is an image with the full cover, and much better contrast, we can see the images in question were under the flap:

01-12-2011, 02:33 PM	#6
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	I don't see a serpent, but even if there were a serpent, what would that mean?

01-13-2011, 06:27 AM	#10
Chili Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 11,885	I would have added that it happened in Burma and now is happening to us but I am nor sure if it actually did happen in Burma.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.