Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Nazir, Redux.

A few weeks ago I posted a photograph of Jacob, son of Aaron, the Samaritan high priest of Schechem, for use as a prop in conjunction with the "Masks of Nyarlathotep" adventure.



Amazingly, Raven discovered a letter from Jacob that was published in "The Open Court" magazine back in 1907. The contents are a discussion of biblical history and prophecy based on Samaritan messianic traditions. It's not prop related in the slightest, other than serving as an example of the commentary of interest to a scholar, but does provide a fascinating look at the person behind the picture.

3 comments:

Raven said...

Incidentally, a trivia point about Jacob's turban. It's red, as all Samaritans were required by (then-Islamic) law to so identify themselves. The Nazir, of course, would have worn a different color, so presume grey or brown or (if he was a hajji) green.

Raven said...

Not quite related to this topic except as the photo had been borrowed for a Lovecraftian plot, and on the theme of "Biblical"-type stories....

Candace McBride's Lovecraftian web-novel Tattoo has just reached two pages telling the (1) Creation and (2) Fall of the universe, as depicted by one of those deities who lived through it -- a viewpoint or "Gospel" that hasn't been told before in a Lovecraftian story.

Raven said...

If that's not gospel enough for yeh,
Try reading Alice at R'lyeh.