THE HISTORY OF PSEUDO-POPE OF ROME

This paper presents a hitherto unknown work from the medieval Middle East. The Copto-Arabic History of Pseudo-Pope of Rome not only has never been the object of any critical study, but most of its remnants remain unpublished as well. The first part of the problem is addressed here by looking at the text's nature, sources, date, language, and ascribed authorship. An edition and a translation of its citations in the works of the thirteenth-century historians, Abu Sakir Ibn ar-Rahib and al-Makin Ibn al-.Amid, offer a solution to the second part of the problem. This contribution aims at paving the way for further study and research by those interested in Oriental studies in general, and Copto-Arabic studies in particular.