Roger Bacon: Eschatological Issues, Geographical Knowledge and Scientific Method in the 13th Century

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine material connected with eschatological peoples, Caspian Gates and the end time in “Opus Majus” of Roger Bacon. By Bacon the concept of Caspian Gates is subject to change. Though nomadic peoples (Huns, Mongols) came from there, who in the beginning threatened civilization and Christian faith, but at the end these peoples either converted to Christianity or they fought imminent adversaries of the Christians. Thus, the Caspian Gates lost its eschatological task. However, Bacon doesn’t abolish the tradition of enclosed peoples. Bacon tries to discover rational explanations, by which means he can incorporate the tale in an altered picture of historical and political events. In “Opus Majus” the Caspian Gates are situated in the city of Derbent. An identical description of the barriers, which were built by Alexander of Macedon, is retained in the text for the Darial pass. Derbent is identified with the Caspian Gates proper in Iran. The Caspian Gates by Bacon are pieced together with characteristic traits of Derbent, the historical Caspian Gates in Persia and the Darial pass. When Bacon talks about Alexander’s barriers in Hircania, he possibly had at his disposal the information about the great wall of Gorgan. Bacon provides the first attempt in the Middle Ages (though with some errors) to set in order partly differing statements of the sources with reference to the Caspian Gates. To calculate the time of the coming of the Antichrist, Bacon considers it appropriate to survey and explore the possible end time people and territories around the Caspian Gates. This practice, in my opinion, represents the experimental science, or experimental method of Bacon. However, the work should be done within the context of the faith. One has to know, from where the Antichrist will come and when. Instead of waiting for the arrival of the apocalyptic peoples, Bacon demands they should act. In different historical times people overcame the barriers of Alexander (the Darial pass) and the Caspian Gates (the city of Derbent). In such way Bacon creates a model in which Alexander’s barriers shift in an eastward direction so to speak. Alexander’s barriers in Hircania preserved their eschatological function. Eschatological expectations, their partial modification and experimental science provide a framework in “Opus Majus” for the issues of end time peoples and the Caspian Gates.