The supernatural revelations in Manichean and Judeo-Christian contexts between cross-cultural interactions and the charisma of the Holy Man

Mani's biography in the Cologne Mani Codex, containing a Greek text paleographically dated to the second half of the fourth century CE, exposes the fact that the future prophet of Manichaeism had been a participant in supernatural events since his childhood. The purpose of these events is to metaphorically explain and anticipate the main features of his future religious proposal. Precisely because of these supernatural events, Mani gradually comes into conflict with the Elchasaite Baptist community in which he lived. Even though Mani openly criticizes his community, and was exiled from it, the supernatural imagery of his community seems to have influenced Mani and his biographers. The aim of this chapter is therefore to investigate the relationships of continuity and innovation between the episodes of Mani's life and the traditions of supernatural events and to explain their complex doctrinal implications, inserting them into the varied religious environment of late ancient Mesopotamia.