Apocalypse Now: Connected Histories of Eschatological Movements from Moscow to Cusco, 15th-18th Centuries

Eschatology was a central theme in politics and society during the early modern period, inspiring social and political change and leading to violent reactions. This volume explores the interconnected histories of confessions and religions from Moscow to Cusco, providing a broad picture of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic eschatological movements from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. It appeals to researchers and students of early modern religion and politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Eschatology played a central role in both politics and society throughout the early modern period, inspiring people to strive for social and political change, including sometimes by violent means, and prompting strong reactions against their religious activism. From the fifteenth to the eighteenth century, numerous apocalyptical and messianic movements emerged across Eurasia and North Africa, raising questions about possible interconnections.

Why were eschatological movements so pervasive in early modern times? This volume seeks to provide some answers to this question by exploring the interconnected histories of confessions and religions from Moscow to Cusco. It offers a broad picture of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic eschatological movements from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century, thereby bridging important and long-standing gaps in the historiography.

Apocalypse Now will appeal to both researchers and students of the history of early modern religion and politics in the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic worlds. By exploring connections between numerous eschatological movements, it offers a fresh insight into one of the most promising fields of European and global history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367532345