Coptology

The Coptic Studies is a scientific field that deals with the Coptic language , the Coptic religion , culture and history of the Copts occupied an originally in Egypt -based ethno-religious group . Coptology is a so-called small subject at universities . The Coptic epoch describes the period that begins with the Christianization of Northeast Africa, particularly Egypt and Nubia , and extends to the present day.

Subject

As a university subject, it is taught in humanities or cultural studies, in philosophical and in theological faculties. Coptology is often offered within the subject of Egyptology , as Coptic is the last language level of the Egyptian language. In the field of art and material culture, there is strong overlap with Christian archeology and Byzantine studies . In recent years, the number of lecturers at German-speaking universities in the field of Coptic Studies has been cut; however, the number of professorships (2) has remained constant since 1997.

Coptology is taught at the Higher Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo . In addition, Coptic Studies is offered as an integral part of an Oriental Studies course or as a double degree with Egyptology at the following universities:

• Free University of Berlin
• University of Göttingen
• University of Munich
• University of Munster
• University of Geneva
• Catholic University Washington

Research areas

The research areas of coptology include:

• research into the Coptic language and the Coptic manuscripts
• the Christian archeology of Coptic, Nubian churches and settlements (with the excavations of the Coptic buildings and settlements being carried out by Christian archaeologists)
• the study of the cultural influences on the Coptic culture and their interaction with other cultures
• Questions about Eastern Church Studies and Biblical Texts ( Apocrypha )
• Studies on Manichaeism and Gnosis , since the Coptic language is one of the oldest original texts

See also

• Coptic Orthodox Church
• Coptic art

literature

• Aziz S. Atiya (Ed.): The Coptic encyclopedia. 9 volumes. New York 1991, ISBN 0-02-897025-X .
• Martin Krause (ed.): Egypt in late antique Christian times. Introduction to Coptic Culture. ( Languages ​​and Cultures of the Christian Orient, Volume 4) L. Reichert, Wiesbaden 1998.
• Siegfried G. Richter (with photos by Jo Bischof): The Coptic Egypt. Treasures in the shadow of the pharaohs. Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt 2019. ISBN 978-3-8053-5211-6 .

Magazines:

• Enchoria. Journal for demotistics and coptology. ( ISSN  0340-627X ).
• Journal of Egyptian Language and Antiquity . (From 1863).
• Goettingen miscells . Georg-August-University Goettingen.
• Lingua Aegyptia. Journal of Egyptian Language Studies. Goettingen ( ISSN  0942-5659 ).
• Le Monde Copte. France.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Small Subjects: Coptology. In: Portal Small Subjects. 2019, accessed April 23, 2019