The Last World Emperor and the Angelic Pope: Eschatological Figures as Representative of the Medieval Struggle of “Sacerdotium" and “Imperium”

Author

Christopher Joseph Beiting, Western Michigan University

Date of Award

8-1990

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Medieval Studies

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

In adopting the Christian faith, medieval people also obtained a tradition within Christianity, that of esehatology. Because of this tradition, there was a receptiveness among some for prophetic visions of the future, visions of widely varied nature. Two very popular themes running through this visionary tradition involved two eschatological figures, the Last World Emperor and the Angelic Pope, whose advent would right all wrongs and transform medieval society. This thesis will examine elements of medieval political theory as they developed out of contemporary events. It will also trace the growth and development of the figures of the Last World Emperor and the Angelic Pope, and attempt to demonstrate how the former influenced the latter.

Recommended Citation

Beiting, Christopher Joseph, "The Last World Emperor and the Angelic Pope: Eschatological Figures as Representative of the Medieval Struggle of “Sacerdotium" and “Imperium”" (1990). Masters Theses. 1064.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1064