DeConick A.D

310
PLEASANTVILLE RELIGIONS
corresponding with a letter of the Syriac alphabet. The Gospel opens with
Mani’s proclamation that he is the Paraclete announced by Jesus, that he
is the seal of all the prophets (Al-Biruni, The Chronology of the Ancient
Nations , 207).
Mani composed a hymnal and prayer book, a book that laid out his understanding
of the mysteries of the soul, and texts preserving his teachings
about the cosmos and its formation. He may also have reworked an early
version of the Book of Giants, a Jewish text about the Watchers, naughty
angels who come to earth to mate with sexy human women. Their children
are the giants who walk the earth in primal times.
Mani settled in the Persian Empire, where he was successful in blending
his religion with elements of Zoroastrianism, the traditional religion
of Persia. He converted the royal Sasanian family and gained the favor
of the kings Ardashir I, Shapur I, and Hormizd I. Their royal patronage
made it possible for Mani to construct his religion and broadcast it
widely.
This success had much to do with the weakened local religious environment
at the time Mani was operating. Because a variety of Christian sects
had found a strong market in Persia, the traditional Zoroastrian religion
was under pressure. The Zoroastrian priests struggled against this foreign
invasion, but others, like Mani, felt that the empire could be unified under
a single, more universalistic faith. Mani was able to convince others that
he was the culmination of all the ancient revelations and prophecies. For
a while at least, the royal family was able to use this as a unifying force for
their society (Pettipiece 2012, 485).
But this was not long-lasting. When the throne shifted to King Vahram
I in 273 CE, Mani and his revelation fell from favor. Vahram felt that
Mani’s religion was a destructive force that worked against his society
and its conventions, since Mani’s followers refused to have children, hunt
game, harvest fields, or act as warriors. Vahram was convinced that Mani
had to be stopped before his infectious countercultural religion spread
and destroyed the world.
Mani was brought before the king, imprisoned in chains, and died
twenty-six days later. His suffering and death were interpreted by his followers
to be like Jesus’ passion. Each year it was commemorated in a
solemn ceremony called the Bema (Judgment), a ceremony focused on
the repentance of sins. The urgency and resolve of the community can be