Problem wykorzystania Akt Archelaosa jako źródła do badań wczesnych misji manichejskich
The "Acts of Archelaus" as a historical source for the study of the early Manichean missions. The question of interpretation

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to reconsider the Christian anti-Manichaean work, the Acts of Archelaus (Acta Archelai) as the historical source for the study of early Manichaean missions. The Acts, traditionally attributed to Hegemonius (4th century), purports to be an accurate transcription of a series of doctrinal debates between Archelaus (the bishop Carchar) and Mani. Scholary consensus takes the position that events as described it the Acts are fi ctitious. But both Christian and Manichaean sources largery confi rm the image of Christian-Manichaean encounter given by the Acts of Archelaus. The description of Mani’s mission in the Acts has many points of contact with the narratives recorded in Coptic and Middle Iranian literature, and the image of Manichaean dogma is quite correct. It suggests that the author of Acts had knew Manichaean history and teaching. Yet, neither main toponyms (Carchar, Castellum Arabionis, Stranga river) of the Acts cannot be identifi ed, and the bishop Archelaus is unknown from other sources. The author concludes that the place of Christian-Manichaean encounter in the Acts and the event itself is imagined, even if some elements seem fi t the context of late 3rd century.

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